FMX Applications

Methylcellulose Wastewater Treatment

Reducing the volume and costs of treating Methylcellulose Wastewater

Methylcellulose is a chemical compound produced by larger chemical companies, which has various uses such as a thickener, lubricant, or emulsifier in multiple applications. During the equipment cleaning process, significant amounts of methylcellulose are washed off into the wastewater. This wastewater is very difficult to treat using biological treatment due to the significant amount of non-biodegradable substances present.

Project Overview

Samsung Fine Chemical, South Korea

Conventional and competing membrane technologies were tested for methylcellulose wastewater treatment, but none could cost effectively separate the non-biodegradable substances from the waste. By applying the FMX, Samsung Fine Chemicals in South Korea is able to reduce the volume of wastewater from 100 tons per day to 35 tons per day, drastically reducing wastewater treatment costs.

Methylcellulose is a chemical compound produced by larger chemical companies, which has various uses such as a thickener, lubricant, or emulsifier in multiple applications. During the equipment cleaning process, significant amounts of methylcellulose are washed off into the wastewater. This wastewater is very difficult to treat using biological treatment due to the significant amount of non-biodegradable substances present. Thus, activated carbon is often used first to treat the wastewater before it is sent to conventional biological treatment. Conventional and competing membrane technologies were tested for methylcellulose wastewater treatment, but none could cost effectively separate the non-biodegradable substances from the waste.

By applying the FMX, Samsung Fine Chemicals in South Korea is able to reduce the volume of wastewater from 100 tons per day to 35 tons per day, drastically reducing wastewater treatment costs. Additionally the FMX permeate contains readily biodegradable organic carbon such as methanol, which can be given or sold to local municipal wastewater treatment plants to function as a carbon source. The remaining concentrate can be further treated in a treatment process including powder activated carbon and biological nutrient removal.

The FMX was so successful at reducing the volume and cost associated with methylcellulose wastewater treatment, Samsung has ordered a total of 8 units over the past eight years. 

Goals

Challenges

Solution

Results

Methylcellulose Wastewater Treatment
Ashland (Hercules), Belgium

Polymer Recovery As Raw Material

Client: Chemical Manufacturer in Belgium
Goal: Recover polymer as raw material, comply with EU sewer discharge limits
Membrane: NF
Average Flux: 150 liter/ (m2 • hr)  [88 GFD]
Note: Filtration occurred at 85oC while retaining satisfactory polymer rejection