Treatment of food processing industries wastewater using a novel Fuller's earth clay-based tubular ceramic membrane

This study investigates the feasibility of a robust, low-cost tubular microfiltration ceramic membrane fabricated using a mixture of locally available Fuller's earth clay (FEC) and solid waste material, rice husk ash (RHA), to treat effluents generated by a local dairy and palm oil industries. Fabrication of the membrane was carried out by employing the extrusion method followed by sintering at a temperature of 850 °C. Raw materials were characterized using XRD, XRF, FTIR, TGA, and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The membrane that underwent sintering exhibits a 61% porosity level, 43.29 L/m² h bar water permeability, 0.115 μm average pore size, and relatively good corrosion resistance. Further, the effect of different operating conditions, including pressure (1.03-2.41 bar) and cross-flow rate (30-150 Lph), on the microfiltration of both the wastewaters is studied. The membrane lowered the COD levels below the discharge limit (<200 mg/L) of the Central Pollution Control of India for both wastewaters. Finally, Hermia's fouling models were used to identify the fouling mechanism concerned.