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The simple operational and maintenance requirements of slow sand filtration (SSF), coupled with its high biological treatment efficiency makes it an attractive technology. The main limitation of SSF is its vulnerability to high suspended solids loadings. Pre-treatment in such instances can be achieved by gravel filtration. Cases of gravel pre-filtration underperformance have been attributed to significant fractions of influent suspended particles in the colloidal range. Maximum limits of turbidity for the application of gravel pre-filters have also been suggested. A simple intervention to overcome such water quality constraints can be through the dosing of a coagulant (aluminium sulfate) upstream of the pre-filtration stage; enhancing the pre-treatment efficiency, in what could be defined as direct (gravel) filtration. Previous studies have investigated its use as a pre-treatment for SSF; however, the results emphasise pre-filtration treatment efficiency and do not consider the effectiveness of the pre-treatment in protecting the slow sand filters. Also, because of the potential toxic effects of A1 residuals, its upstream use in relation to a biological SSF treatment has never been properly evaluated. The objectives of this study were: assess the efficiency as well as the effectiveness of chemically- enhanced up-flow gravel filters in series (UGFS) as pre-treatment for SSF and study the impact of aluminium residuals on the treatment performance and potential effects on biological activity. Preliminary experiments and first set of runs with chemically-enhanced pre-filter showed evidence of wall-effects due to the media size/column diameter ratio. This experimental design shortcoming was thought not to have affected the overall trends of results and was addressed for the set of pilot-experiments on which most conclusions are based. The results from the experimental work have shown that chemically-enhanced gravel pre-filtration can be effective only if coagulant dose is carefully controlled. Contrary to previous research, it was found that when resorting to chemically-enhanced pre-treatment (with alum) turbidities of less than 2 NTU (nephelometric turbidity units) should be targeted for in order to ensure an efficient and effective SSF pre-treatment. Such control will minimise A1 residuals that can otherwise cause a premature blockage of the slow sand filter by A1 hydroxide precipitates even with influent turbidities below 10 NTU. This was speculated to occur possibly due to size and mechanical properties of deposits retained on the uppermost layers of the SSF beds. A1 speciation analyses revealed that A1 residuals from chemically-enhanced pre-filtration were found to be mostly of inorganically- bound Al. This fraction consisted mainly of A1 in its form which is considered to be potentially more bioavailable (and possibly toxic) to aquatic (micro)organisms. However, slow sand filtration column trials found that filters dosed with the potentially more labile form of A1 did not show any significant difference in terms of treatment performance parameters and biological activity indicators. It has been demonstrated that chemically-enhanced pre-filtration (with alum) may not be an effective pre-treatment on the basis that it may cause an early blockage of the slow sand filters. There was no evidence of effect of A1 on biological treatment of the slow sand filtration process.

This thesis investigates the removal by adsorption of potentially harmful natural organic matter, humic substances (HS), from the water supply using three different media granular activated carbon (GAC), iron-coated alumina (AAFS) and ferric oxihydroxide (akaganeite P-FeOOH). The adsorbents were characterised using Fourier transform infrared, scanning electron microscopy, pH of zero point of charge and surface area analysis. While GAC is microporous, the two iron-containing adsorbents are mesoporous with low microporosity. Further work is required to investigate media attrition. The HS solutions were fractionated into three ranges of molecular weights (from 0 to 50 kDa) and were characterised by UV absorbance at 254 nm, DOC and the SUVA (ratio UV254/DOC). Results from the kinetics study indicated that different mechanisms control the adsorption rate at defined stages throughout the process. Five kinetic adsorption models were assessed to describe the adsorbent-adsorbate systems behaviour pseudo-first and second order models, the Elovich equation, intraparticle diffusion and external diffusion models. Adsorption in batch systems showed that low molecular weight HS preferentially adsorbed onto GAC whereas heavy molecular weight HS would adsorb better onto AAFS and p-FeOOH. Adsorption capacities were estimated using the Freundlich isotherm. Large residual DOCs were required before adsorption would commence, caused by a non-adsorbable fraction with very low molecular weights. This also led to a minimum residual DOC concentration in the column effluent during continuous flow experiments. Furthermore, significant HS removal was only observed in the columns once a concentration gradient had built up. The Thomas equation accurately predicted the adsorption and the bed depth service time model indicated that contact time is a more important criterion than bed depth. Finally, simulations of adsorption in the columns were carried out using the computer model GACMan. These were only successful over a narrow range of molecular weights.

This research investigates the removal of natural organic matter (NOM) from low turbidity waters by optimising an integrated coagulation and membrane filtration process. In conjunction with a regional water utility, the feasibility and operability of pre-coagulation with ultrafiltration membrane units, is investigated at both the fundamental and applied levels. The pH of coagulation greatly affects the growth of flocs. Although flocs are produced over the range of pH values, there is a significant improvement in performance at the optimum pH. The results show that for ferric sulphate, the optimum pH value for coagulation was 4.8; for ferric chloride the optimum pH value was 5.0; and for alum the optimum pH value was 6. Manipulation of the mixing regime during orthokinetic flocculation allows control of the final floe size. A high shear rate (447 s-1) induces greater particle collision and micro-floc formation, allowing an increased rate of growth during slow mixing. A mixing regime of 60 seconds rapid mixing (shear rate G= 447 s­-1) followed by 3 minutes slow mixing (shear rate G= 20 s-1) is required for flocculation of the NOM and adequate enmeshment and removal of excess iron. Experiments conducted with the optimised coagulation regime and a Norit hollow fibre ultrafiltration membrane, operated in dead-end mode, leads to significant fouling. The results for the submerged Zenon ultrafiltration membrane also indicated membrane fouling, when the coagulation regime was optimised for NOM reduction and iron removal. Changing the coagulation regime altered the level of membrane fouling. It can be concluded that the optimum coagulation conditions in conventional water treatment are not always the optimum conditions for coagulation with ultrafiltration treatment and the unconventional coagulation conditions can be much more effective, than the conventional ones, in the context of membrane filtration, depending on the raw water characteristics.

Οι βιοαντιδραστήρες μεμβρανών αποτελούν μια καινοτόμο τεχνολογία, ιδανική για την αποκατάσταση προηγμένων αστικών και βιομηχανικών λυμάτων, τα οποία περιέχουν υψηλά ποσοστά βιοαποικοδομήσιμων οργανικών ενώσεων. Η παρούσα εργασία αποτελεί ένα μέρος μιας ευρύτερης προσπάθειας ανάπτυξης μιας νέας κατηγορίας λειτουργικών μεμβρανών τεχνολογίας “Βιοαντιδραστήρα Μεμβρανών” (Membrane Bioreactors, MBRs) ή/και βελτίωσης των ήδη χρησιμοποιούμενων μεμβρανών τεχνολογίας MBR με την ενσωμάτωση στο ενεργό πορώδες τους νανοσωλήνες άνθρακα. Οι νανοσωλήνες άνθρακα δυνητικά θα προσέφεραν ταυτόχρονα υψηλότερες ταχύτητες ροής νερού, υψηλότερο ποσοστό απόρριψης οργανικών ενώσεων και ανόργανων αλάτων χαμηλού μοριακού βάρους, καθώς και υψηλότερη αντοχή της μεμβράνης στην εναπόθεση διαφόρων μικροοργανισμών. Η πρόκληση στην περίπτωση αυτή είναι η αποτελεσματική ενθυλάκωση τους στην ενεργή εκλεκτική στοιβάδα των μεμβρανών αυτών. Οι νανοσωλήνες άνθρακα από την πρώτη στιγμή της ανακάλυψης τους, έχουν προσελκύσει το ενδιαφέρον της επιστημονικής κοινότητας, λόγω της ευρείας εφαρμογής τους σε πολλά επιστημονικά και τεχνολογικά πεδία, ως συνέπεια των μοναδικών ιδιοτήτων τους. Οι χημικές, οπτικές, ηλεκτρικές και μηχανικές ιδιότητές τους, τους καθιστούν δυνητικά χρήσιμους σε πάρα πολλές εφαρμογές. Στη συγκεκριμένη περίπτωση, τα τελευταία 5-7 έτη, οι νανοσωλήνες άνθρακα έχουν ταυτοποιηθεί ως μια καινούργια γενιά νανο-πορωδών υλικών με τρομερό δυναμικό για εφαρμογές ως φίλτρα σε υλικά μεμβρανών που θα μπορούσε να φέρει πραγματική επανάσταση στο σχετικό χώρο. H δυνατότητα ελέγχου της διαμέτρου τους και κατά συνέπεια του μεγέθους των πόρων τους μέσω των οποίων λαμβάνει χώρα το φαινόμενο της διάχυσης ή ροής (από τα 4 Angstroms έως τα 15 nm), σε συνδυασμό με τα σχεδόν άτριβου χαρακτήρα γραφιτικά τους τοιχώματα, εξασφαλίζει εξαιρετικά ταχεία ροή μικρών μορίων με ταυτόχρονη καταπληκτική εκλεκτικότητα στη διαπερατότητα μορίων με βάση το μέγεθός τους. Η ροή υγρών μέσα από αυτές των νανοσωλήνων άνθρακα προβλέπεται να είναι 3-5 τάξεις μεγέθους πάνω απ’ ότι αναμένεται με βάση υπολογισμούς βασισμένους σε απλές αρχές της υδροδυναμικής. Στο πλαίσιο αυτό, μελετήθηκε ο εμβολισμός νανοπορωδών εμπορικών μεμβρανών με διάφορα είδη νανοσωλήνων άνθρακα (CNTs): μονοφλοιϊκών (με ένα τοίχωμα) (Single Wall CNT: SWCNT), διπλοφλοιϊκών (με δύο τοιχώματα) (Double Wall CNT: DWCNT), πολυφλοιϊκών (με πολλαπλά (~15) τοιχώματα) (Multi Wall CNT: MWCNT), λεπτών “πολλαπλού” τοιχώματος (με λίγα (~6-7 ) τοιχώματα) (thin MWCNT), αλλά και τροποποιημένων νανοσωλήνων άνθρακα πολλαπλού τοιχώματος με υδρόξυ-ομάδες (-OH) και καρβόξυ-ομάδες (-COOH) καθώς επίσης και νανοσωλήνων άνθρακα τροποποιημένων με διάφορα πολυμερή όπως πολυβινυλοπυρολιδόνη (PVP), πολυμεθακρυλικό γλυκιδιλεστέρα (PGMA), (PSSPC16). Οι νανοσωλήνες άνθρακα, αρχικά, χαρακτηρίσθηκαν με τη βοήθεια της φασματοσκοπίας Raman και της Ηλεκτρονικής Μικροσκοπίας Σάρωσης και μελετήθηκε η διασπορά τους σε νερό (H2O) και αιθανόλη (EtOH). Κατόπιν, εμβολίσθηκαν σε διαφόρων τύπων πορώδεις ανισοτροπικές μεμβράνες (πόρων κωνικού τύπου), αλλά και σε μεμβράνες καθορισμένου μεγέθους πόρων κυλινδρικού τύπου (track etched), στην προσπάθεια ανάδειξης μιας βέλτιστης ενθυλάκωσής τους στο ενεργό/εκλεκτικό τμήμα των μεμβρανών αυτών, κάτι που δεν είναι καθόλου προφανές. Αναπτύχθηκε μια πειραματική διάταξη εμβολισμού νανοσωλήνων άνθρακα, βασιζόμενη στην αρχή της διήθησης/φιλτραρίσματος, η οποία επέτρεψε ένα βαθμό εμβολισμού τους στις μεμβράνες και μια τάση βελτίωσης του χρόνου/των ρυθμών διέλευσης του νερού από αυτές. Στην προσπάθεια αυτή αρωγός σ’ ένα μεγάλο βαθμό αποδείχθηκε η Ηλεκτρονική Μικροσκοπία Σάρωσης. / Membrane Bioreactors are an innovative technology, ideal for the treatment and rehabilitation of advanced municipal and industrial wastewater which contain high biodegradable organic compounds. A new category of functional membranes for technology MBR, which offer higher water flow, higher rejection rate of organic compounds and inorganic salts of low molecular weight, and greater resistance to the deposition of the membrane of microorganisms may be ensured by the inclusion of various types of carbon nanotubes (CNT’s) into porous polymeric membranes and its basic principle is the efficient binding of modified carbon nanotubes in these membranes. Carbon nanotubes, from the first moment of their discovery, have attracted the interest of the scientific community, due to their wide application in many scientific and technological fields, as a result of their unique properties. More specifically, the chemical, optical, electrical and mechanical properties make them potentially useful in many applications. Important is the use of carbon nanotubes for the development of an innovative high performance membrane for use in Membrane Bioreactors Technology (Membrane Bioreactors, MBR’s). In the present study different types of carbon nanotubes were examined, such as single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT’s), double-wall carbon nanotubes (DWCNT’s), multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT’s), thin multi-wall carbon nanotubes (thin MWCNT’s), and modified carbon nanotubes with hydroxy groups (-OH), carboxyl groups (-COOH) as well as carbon nanotubes modified with various polymers such as polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), phosphonium salt of polystyrene sulfonate (PSSPC16) and polyglycidyl methacrylate (PGMA). Initially, the different types of carbon nanotubes were characterized, using Raman Spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy. Their dispersion in H2O and ethanol was also examined. Then, they were infiltrated into various types of porous anisotropic membranes with conical porous and into defined pore size membranes (track etched), to find the most suitable combination, which would result to the best water flow through the infiltrated membrane. For this purpose, an experimental device was developed, based on the principle of filtration, which allowed both the filtration of the nanotubes in the films, and the measuring of the water flow through them. Furthermore, the optimal conditions of the system were studied that could both bring about the greater coverage of the membrane pores from nanotube suspensions, (probed by SEM), and result to the optimum water flow rate.

Les eaux usées sont très souvent enrichies en phosphates issus des activités anthropiques, leur rejet dans le milieu naturel sans traitement adéquat entraîne une eutrophisation rapide du réseau hydrographique de surface. L’objectif de cette thèse est de caractériser et d’étudier la possibilité de rétention des phosphates des eaux sur des géomatériaux efficaces et disponibles en quantité suffisante en Côte Ivoire. A terme, ce travail permettra de valoriser des matériaux géologiques, sans intérêt minier, en produits aux applications environnementales. A cet effet la latérite le grès et le schiste ont été sélectionnés et préparés par broyage mécanique pour produire des fractions inférieures à 80 µm. Ces rétenteurs ont été analysés par diffraction des rayons-X, microscopie électronique à balayage (MEB) et à transmission (MET), spectroscopie infrarouge (IR). Les analyses texturales ont été conduites par volumétrie d’adsorption du diazote (N2) à 77K. La granularité a été déterminée par diffusion laser et par sédimentation. Les mesures de la capacité d’échange cationique (CEC), ont été effectuées par spectroscopies UV visible et par ICP-AES et ICP-MS. La synthèse de l’ensemble des données minéralogiques montre de forts pourcentages en oxydes et oxyhydroxydes de fer, d’aluminium et de calcium pour ces trois matériaux. Cette composition confère à la fraction fine des surfaces spécifiques de 34 ; 4,7 et 16,5 m2/g respectivement pour la latérite, le grès et le schiste. De plus les charpentes minérales des ces matériaux révèlent la présence de méso et microporosité. Les rétenteurs ont ensuite été évalués dans le traitement en batch d’un effluent synthétique obtenu par dissolution du dihydrogénophosphate de potassium (KH2PO4), dans l’eau distillée. Les doses optimales et les temps d’équilibres ont été déterminés. Les isothermes de rétention ont ensuite été construites à 20, 30 et 40°C. L’affinité des phosphates pour les trois adsorbants est plus importante pour la latérite, ensuite le grès et enfin le schiste. L’adsorption dépend fortement du pH. Les taux de rétention des phosphates sur le grès semblent indépendants de la température. En revanche, ceux de la latérite augmentent dans le sens contraire de la température et l’inverse pour le schiste. Plusieurs modèles cinétiques (pseudo-premier ordre, pseudo-second ordre, Elovich et de diffusion) ont été évalués, de même que les paramètres thermodynamiques. Les réactions d’adsorption sont parfaitement décrites par le modèle de pseudo-second ordre. Les données des équilibres d’adsorption permettent de définir des intervalles où l’adéquation aux modèles de Langmuir et Freundlich semble parfaite. Le mécanisme de rétention proposé suggère l’existence de deux types de sites. L’analyse par infrarouge (DRIFT) des matériaux après adsorption montre une part importante des interactions de type chimique dans la rétention des phosphates sur la latérite et le grès. L’ensemble des résultats obtenus confirme la possibilité d’utiliser la latérite, le grès et le schiste pour déphosphater les eaux. Cependant la latérite présente de plus fortes potentialités par rapport aux autres adsorbants testés / Wastewaters are often loaded in phosphate from human activities. The discharge of such wastewater without adequate treatment leads to rapid eutrophication of water bodies. The main of the present thesis was to characterize and investigate the removal efficiency of phosphate from water by natural geological material available in large amount in Ivory Coast. Ultimately, it has ambition to valorize geological material without mining interest for environmental purposes. For this research, the laterite, sandstone and shale were selected and prepared by mechanical crushing to obtain fine fractions below 80 µm. Detailed study to characterize these three rocks powder was performed, thus several mineralogical and physico-chemical properties were determinated by means of : X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS), N2-adsorption/desorption techniques (BET), energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX), particle size distribution, cation exchange capacity and chemical analyses by atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Data shows high percentages of iron, aluminum and calcium oxides and oxyhydroxides for these three materials. This composition confer to the fine fraction the specific surface of 34; 4.7 et 16.5 m2/g for laterite, sandstone and shale respectively. In addition, the mineral structures of these materials reveal the presence of meso-and microporosity. These materials were then evaluated in the batch treatment of synthetic liquid effluents containing pure KH2PO4. The optimal dosage and equilibrium times were detected. After, isotherms were built at 20, 30 and 40°C. It was shown that phosphate affinity for the three absorbents is more important for laterite, sandstone and shale. The absorption process is strongly depends on pH. Phosphate retention rate on sandstone seem not to depend on temperature, on the other hand, those of laterite increase on the contrary way of the temperature and vice versa for schist. Several kinetic models (pseudo first order, pseudo second order, Elovich and diffusion models) were evaluated as well as thermodynamic parameters. Absorption reactions are perfectly described by the pseudo second order. Absorption equilibrium data allow defining interval where Langmuir and Freundlich model seems perfect. The proposed retention mechanism suggests the existence of two kinds of sites. DRIFTS analyses of adsorbents after adsorption revealed chemical interaction on adsorption process onto laterite and sandstone. This study demonstrated that laterite, sandstone and shale are an effective adsorbent for phosphate removal from aqueous solution. However, laterite shows a strong potentiality compared to the two others adsorbents

Une analyse détaillée des propriétés physico-chimiques des nanoparticules (NP) anthropogéniques est nécessaire pour comprendre à un niveau mécanistique leurs interactions/toxicité potentielle avec/envers les composants biotiques des systèmes aquatiques naturels. Une telle analyse est également requise pour réaliser une évaluation complète et une optimisation de la performance des méthodes d’(ultra)filtration développées pour circonscrire le relargage des NPs dans les milieux aquatiques. Dans ce contexte, l'objectif de cette thèse de doctorat était de déchiffrer les processus physico-chimiques fondamentaux régissant la capture de nanodendrimères carboxylés (PAMAM-COOH) - utilisés fréquemment dans des applications biomédicales – par des films multicouches du type (poly(diallyldiméthylammonium)chlorure-poly(acide acrylique))n ((PDADMAC-PAA)n) assemblés par déposition séquentielle des composantes polymériques cationique et anionique. À cette fin, une étude systématique des propriétés électrohydrodynamiques des NPs PAMAM-COOH a d'abord été effectuée en fonction du pH et de la concentration en sel monovalent du milieu. Sur la base de la théorie électrocinétique de particules molles ayant une fonctionnalité zwitterionique, il est démontré que les caractéristiques électriques interfaciales des NPs considérées sont déterminées à la fois par des contributions électrostatiques de surface et volumique des nanoparticules, lesquelles dependent de l’extension intraparticulaire de la double couche électrique. L’existence de ces deux types de contributions conduit à un changement remarquable de signe de la mobilité des NPs en modifiant la concentration du sel monovalent en solution et à une dépendance prononcé du point de zéro mobilité des NPs avec la concentration de l’électrolyte. En outre, une confrontation quantitative entre résultats expérimentaux et théorie souligne comment les modifications structurales des NPs induites par des changements de pH et de salinité affectent les caractéristiques électrocinétiques des dendrimères. Dans une deuxième partie, la structure, la morphologie et les propriétés mécaniques des films PDADMAC-PAA et leur évolution temporelle dans des conditions de vieillissement naturel ou après traitement thermique ont été déterminées par microscopie à force atomique (AFM) et analyses microspectroscopie Raman. Les résultats démontrent que les films multicouches PDADMAC-PAA de type exponentiel présentent des caractéristiques mécaniques et structurelles typiques de films polyélectrolytes multicouches à croissance linéaire. En particulier, leur relaxation lente vers un état d’équilibre est accélérée après traitement thermique à 60°C et se révèle être intimement liée à l'instabilité de domaines de films riches en PDADMAC, épuisés en eau (faits confirmés par la théorie de la fonctionnelle de la densité) et marqués par la présence de structures caractéristiques en forme de ‘donuts’. Dans une dernière partie, des résultats préliminaires sont donnés pour la dépendance de l'élasticité des films multicouches PDADMAC-PAA avec la concentration en solution de nanodendrimères. Les résultats suggèrent que ces films multicouches complexes constituent une option prometteuse pour la capture et l'élimination de nanodendrimères carboxylés présents en milieux aqueux / A detailed analysis of the physicochemical properties of engineered nanoparticles (NPs) is required to understand on a mechanistic level their interactions/potential toxicity with/towards biotic components of fresh water systems. Such an analysis is further mandatory to achieve a comprehensive evaluation and optimisation of the performance of (ultra)filtration methods developed to prevent NPs release into aquatic media. Within this context, the aim of this PhD thesis was to decipher the basic physico-chemical processes governing the loading of carboxylated-poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM-COOH) nanodendrimers -commonly employed in biomedical applications- into layer-by-layer assembled (poly(diallyl dimethyl ammonium) chloride-poly(acrylic acid))n ((PDADMAC-PAA)n) multilayer films. For that purpose, a systematic investigation of the electrohydrodynamic properties of PAMAM-COOH NPs was first performed as a function of pH and monovalent salt concentration in solution. On the basis of advanced electrokinetic theory for soft particles with zwitterionic functionality, it is demonstrated that the interfacial electrostatic features of the considered NPs are determined both by surface and bulk particle contributions to an extent that depends on electrolyte concentration. This leads to a remarkable NPs mobility reversal with changing monovalent salt concentration and to a marked dependence of the point of zero NPs mobility on electrolyte content. In addition, confrontation between experiments and theory further highlights how pH- and salt-mediated modifications of the NP particle structure affect dendrimer electrokinetic features at large pH and/or low salt concentrations. In a second part, the structure, morphology and mechanical properties of PDADMAC-PAA films, and their evolution over time under natural aging conditions or after thermal treatment, were addressed from atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Raman microspectroscopy analyses. Results evidence that PDADMAC-PAA multilayer films of exponential type exhibit mechanical and structural features that are typical for polyelectrolyte multilayer films with linear growth. In particular, their slow relaxation to equilibrium is accelerated after heating treatment at 60°C and, in line with density functional theory computation, this relaxation dynamics is shown to be intimately connected to instability of film domains rich in PDADMAC, depleted in water and marked by the presence of characteristic donut-like structures. In a final part, the reported dependence of PDADMAC-PAA multilayer films elasticity on concentration of nanodendrimers in bulk solution suggests that these complex multilayer films constitute a promising option to be further investigated for the loading and removal of carboxylated nanodendrimers from aqueous environments

M. Tech., (Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology Vaal University of Technology| / The methods used to remove potassium sulphate (K2S04) and other impurities contained within Karbochem finishing plant effluent were investigated. Reverse osmosis was explored for this application. The study was conducted in two steps. The first step focuses mainly on the effluent treatment using BW30 flatsheet as well as BW30-2540 spiral-wound reverse osmosis membranes for the rejection of potassium and sulphate ions. The membranes were supplied by Filmtec. The second step reveals the possible use of potassium sulphate obtained from the brine stream in the fertiliser and fertigation industry by a literature search. Reverse osmosis study was conducted on a laboratory scale unit using flat sheet membranes and also on a pilot plant scale using spiral wound membrane modules. The tests were conducted at a feed pressure of 20 bar(g) with the membrane rejections being 98% and 99.1% on flat sheet membrane, and 96.9% and 99.4% on spiral wound membrane for potassium and sulphates respectively. The results show that both membranes have completely desalinated. Significant reduction in the concentrations of all problematic quality parameters, especially of potassium and the sulphate ions was noted. Granular activated carbon (GAC) bed treatment was recommended for pretreatment of the effluent prior to exposure of the membrane to avoid organic fouling of the membrane. GAC treatment was tested to illustrate its effectiveness to adsorb the COD's. / NRF

Un des enjeux majeurs des procédés membranaires concerne le développement de nouveaux matériaux de filtration stables dont les propriétés texturales et structurales permettent d'orienter la sélectivité des membranes de nanofiltration. En particulier, l'utilisation de matériaux zéoliihiques comme couche filtrante a montré qu'après un traitement chimique adéquat, ces matériaux pouvaient acquérir des propriétés de sélectivité très particulières. Ce travail de thèse propose la synthèse, la caractérisation et l'optimisation de membranes de nanofiltration tubulaires en utilisant une zéolithe de type MFI. Plus particulièrement, des films mono et bicouches de zéolithes de type MFI ont été préparés sur un support tubulaire macroporeux asymétrique en alumine. La diffraction de rayons X et la microscopie électronique à balayage ont permis de déterminer la cristallinité, l'homogénéité et l'épaisseur des filins déposés (7 à 15 i_trn). La manométrie d'adsorption d'azote a été utilisée pour vérifier si la porosité après mise en forme restait accessible, ainsi qu'à déterminer la niasse de zéolithe déposée sur le support tubulaire en alumine. La perméabilité hydraulique, qui caractérise l'hydrodynamique d'une membrane, a été déterminée par filtration d'eau déminéralisée. Cette étape dite « de conditionnement » est nécessaire pour parvenir à un état de performance stable de la membrane (état d'équilibre), La perméabilité hydraulique de la membrane mono et bicouche MFI diminue rapidement au début de la phase de conditionnement, et finit par se stabiliser au bout de 15 heures de filtration pour atteindre une valeur minimale de 1,08 x tem-2 et 1,02 x 10-15 m3.ni-2 respectivement. La sélectivité et les performances de filtration de ces membranes vis-à-vis de différents types de solutés (ioniques, molécules organiques, mélanges) ont été analysées à l'issue de la phase de conditionnement. Les résultats obtenus sont très encourageants, ils ont fait l'objet de plusieurs articles de recherche. / Zeolites are very well-known materials especially for their controlled porosity, their crystalline structures, but also for the different applications where they can be used (catalysis, air treatment,...) . During the past ten years, a lot of developments have been done on the preparation of zeolite membranes for pervaporation applications. The present work explores new developments in the preparation zeolite membranes dedicated to the filtration of salty water. More particularly, we prepared MFI films on specific macroporous alumina tubular supports used for nanofiltration applications. There are different key steps which influence the formation of the MFI films: the cleaning procedure of the substrats, the hydrothermal synthesis conditions, the use of a secondary growth method for when preparing a bi-layered membrane. A complete characterization of the mono and the bi-layered membranes was carried out using various techniques, such as X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray fluorescence, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, mercury porosimetry and nitrogen sorption measurements. Results show that a dense, continuous and highly crystallized thin film of MFI bas been obtained on the u-alumina support after the secondary growth experiment. The weight of zeolite deposited on the support was also estimated by nitrogen sorption measurement using the method of mass assessment. The MFI membrane was stabilized by pure water filtration tests until the hydraulic permeability reached a plateau. This conditioning step was necessary to reach an equilibrium state of the hydraulic membrane performances. Particularly, hydration of the MFI layer was a crucial step of the conditioning process, which leads to the modification of the MFI surface properties. The hydraulic permeability of the mono and bi-layer MFI membrane decreased rapidly at the beginning of the conditioning process, and stabilized alter 15 hours to reach 1.08 x 10.141113.m.2 and 1.02 x 10-15 m3.m-2 respectively. Filtration tests were then carried out with a neutral molecule (VB 12) in order to evaluate the mean pore radius of the mono and the bi-layered membranes. A rejection rate of 5% was obtained with the monolayer MFI membrane, while it reaches a value of 50% with the bi-layered one. These results lead to mean pore radius corresponding to 6.4 and 1.7 mn respectively. It menus that even alter the synthesis of the second MFI layer, the membrane porosity remains higher than the porous diameter of the zeolite. Filtration may occur at the interface of the MFI crystals.