Dye Concentration Process

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Introduction

The goal of the study is to determine if Synder’s NFX membraneis capable of handling five different dye products (different MW, strength/concentration, salt content) with minimum product loss during the desalination and concentration process.

Membrane and operating conditions

Results

a) Yellow #1 dye – concentration process

The process goal is to remove 75% water. Synder NFX membrane has shown effective rejection of the yellow dye (Fig. 1). The absorbance measurement at 420 nm indicates 99.9% of the color dye was rejected by the membrane during the concentration process. The concentration process of yellow RW dye was completed at concentration factor of 3.2X; customer’s process goal is achieveable. The total color loss is expected to be less than 0.3%, predicted by the experimental results of 99.9% color rejection.

B) Red dye – Diafiltration + concentration process

The process goal is to remove 75% water and 85% NaCl from the Red dye. With NFX membrane and continuous diafiltration, part of the salt was removed (salt concentration measured with conductivity). After diafiltration, the dye sample was concentrated by 4 fold, which equates to 75% water removal. The 99.9% color rejection, determined by the absorbance measurement at wavelength of 510 nm, is maintained during both diafiltration and concentration processes. At the end of diafiltration, 28 L of DI water was used to remove the salt from the 8 L of dye sample. The concentration process removed 6 L of samples from the feed. The total loss of color to the permeate is less than 0.5%. Depending on what was found from the NaCl concentration measurement, further diafiltration may be necessary. Synder do offer different NF membranes that have higher salt removal efficiency, however, it is likely the dye yield will change as salt removal efficiency increases.

C) Yellow #2 dye – Diafiltration + concentration process

The process goal is to remove 35% of water and lower the NaCl concentration from feed solution. During continuous diafiltration, DI water equal to twice the feed volume was used to remote the salt content. Then the dye sample was concentrated to remove water from the feed solution. The 99.9% color rejection is maintained during both diafiltration and concentration processes, determined by the absorbance measurement at wavelength of 440 nm. The total loss of color to the permeate is less than 0.1%.

D) Blue dye – Diafiltration + concentration process

The process goal is to remove 70% of water and lower the NaCl concentration from the feed solution. A continuous diafiltration followed with a concentration process was applied. The overall color rejection was above 99%. The dye concentration was evaluated with the absorbance measurement at wavelength of 610 nm. The total loss of color to the permeate is less than 1%.

E) Blue dye – concentration process

The process goal is to remove 60% of water and lower the NaCl concentration in the concentrate product. The absorbance of the dye samples was measurement at 600 nm. The readings indicate 99.9% of the color was rejected by the membrane during the entire concentration process.  The total loss of color to the permeate is less than 0.2%.

Suggestions and conclusions

The Synder NFX Membrane showed promising results on all five different dyes with minimum of 99% dye rejection. It provides an economical solution to the customer so that they can use the same membrane to process all their products in the plant.