VOC Removal from Water by Pervaporation

Abstract
Pervaporation (PV) is a new technology for removing volatile organic compounds
from groundwater and other aqueous waste streams. This technology is of particular
interest for separating compounds that have low water solubilities (less than 20,000
ppm) [3]. These compounds include petroleum-based solvents such as benzene and
toluene and chlorinated solvents like trichloroethylene.
Pervaporation allows organics to be selectively separated from aqueous sys tems.
The process is typically carried out by placing a liquid stream, containing organic
species, in contact with one side of a nonporous selective membrane while a vacuum is
applied to the other side. The selected organics in the liquid stream sorb into the
membrane, permeate through it, and evaporate into the vapor phase. The vapor is then
condensed. Since various components in the liquid feed have different affinities for the
membrane and different diffusion rates through the membrane, an organic at low feed
concentration can have a significantly higher concentration in the vapor phase and
when condensed will result in a highly concentrated liquid [1].
In a demonstration, the system successfully removed an average of 94 percent TCE
from a wastewater. In addition to effectively removing VOCs, this technology does not
require replacement or disposal of an adsorbent such as activated carbon. Only
negligible amounts of VOCs are release to the outside air [3].

Process Description
A full-scale demonstration of the ZENON cross-flow pervaporation technology was
performed at a former waste disposal plant at the Naval Air Station, North Island
(NASNI), in Coronado, California. Groundwater at the site contains a variety of
contaminants, mainly trichloroethene (TCE). In this study, the pervaporation system
was operated at influent flow rates ranging from 2 to 11 gpm with trichloroethene
concentrations up to 250 mg/L [3].

Waste Water

Membrane

Liquid (selected VOCs

have been removed)
Permeate Vapor (containing
selected VOCs)

Figure 1: Pollutants diffuse through the membrane as vapor

Typically, contami nated water is pumped from an equalization tank through a

prefilter that remove debris. After which, it enters a heat exchanger which raises the
water temperature to about 165F (75C) [3]. The heated contaminated water then flows

into a pervaporation module containing the organophilic membranes. The organics sorb
into the membranes. A vacuum applied to the system causes the organics to diffuse
through the membrane as vapor. Components of the liquid stream that do not move
through the membrane are discharged from the system, Figure 1. The vapor (permeate)
is then passed through a condenser generating a highly concentrated liquid. The
condensate separates into aqueous and organic phases. The aqueous phase permeate
can be sent back to the pervaporation module for further treatment, while the organic
phase permeate is discharged to a receiving vessel [3].
Analysis of the demonstration samples showed the ZENON pervaporation system
removed on average 97.3 % of the TCE from groundwater. Treatment efficiency
remained fairly consistent throughout the demonstration. However, efficiency decreased
at various times due to mineral scaling problems [3].
Key Parameters: The efficiency of PV separation is determined by properties of the
VOC being targeted, the membrane, and operating variables. The evaluation and
understanding the PV operating variables is critical for VOC removal from water. These
variables include permeate pressure, feed temperature and concentration, module
geometry, liquid feed velocity, etc. A change in one parameter can result in a change in
separation efficiency [1].
The physical properties of VOCs to be considered include: diffusivity in water, affinity
for specific membrane material, permeability in the membrane, and the saturation vapor
pressure [1].
Membranes: PV membranes used to separate VOCs from water are generally
fabricated with non-porous hydrophobic polymeric materials [1]. An analysis of the
target VOCs in the wastewater stream is necessary to determine the appropriate
membrane material.
Benefits
q

q
q

Can be applied to aqueous waste streams such as groundwater, lagoons, and rinse
waters that are contaminated with VOCs such as solvents, degreasers, and gasoline
Environmentally friendly and an essentially pollution-free operation.
No additional chemicals are needed for fluid separation.

Disadvantages
q
q

Permeate flux and selectivity of a solute is dependent on membrane material.

Periodic cleaning of the membranes is necessary to maintain the treatment
efficiency (scaling on the membrane) [3].
Lowering concentrations to below maximum contaminant levels may require multiple
passes through the pervaporation module. This can be economically impractical
when compared to other technologies [3].

Page 2 of 3

Vendors
Listed below are a few vendors that can provide pervaporation systems
Canzler, LLC
Petro Sep Membrane Technologies Inc
Sulzer Chemtech Ltd
Zenon Environmental

http://www.canzler-pt.de
http://www.petrosepmembrane.com
http://www.sulzerchemtech.ch
http://www.zenonenv.com/

Literature Cited
1. Ming Peng, Leland M. Vane, Sean X. Liu, Recent advances in VOCs removal from
water by pervaporation, Journal of Hazardous Materials, B98 (2003) 6990.
2. Zenon Cross-Flow Pervaporation Technology: An Innovative Method for Treating
TCE in Ground Water, Navy Environmental Leadership Program, NELP Fact Sheet
No. 5, September 1996.
3. Zenon Cross-Flow Pervaporation Technology: Innovative Technology Evaluation
Report, US Environmental Protection Agency, National Risk Management Research
Laboratory Office of Research and Development,
(http://www.epa.gov/ORD/SITE/reports/zenon.html).

Page 3 of 3