Electroplating rinse wastewater contains a number of toxic
metals which are harmful to receiving waters. The Tubular B 1 Module
(PCI Membrane Systems) with AFC 99 polyamide membrane was used to
treat the aluminium anodizing rinse water at different feedwater
concentrations and diff erent transmembrane pressures. Penneate flux was
found to be directly proportional to transmembrane pressure and indirectly
proportional to natural logarithms of feedwater concentrations. Aluminium
concentration was reduced from 747.1 mg/l to 2. rejection at 65 bar transmembrane pressure and 40°C feedwater temperature. Overall conductivity rejection was in excess of 9 8% at 65 bar. Rejection
efficiency was increased with increasing transmembrane pressure. However,
permeate quality deteriorated with increasing feedwater concentrations. High
production rate was recorded with 3.3 m3/m2.d at 7% recovery and 65 bar
transmembrane pressure with a feedwater concentration of approximately
9,500 mg/l TDS (Total Dissolved Solids). Reverse osmosis penneate is
suitable for reuse as rinse water in the factory. No membrane fouling was
encountered during the study. Reverse osmosis was found to be an effective
alternative for recovery of rinse water and heavy metals from the waste
effluent compared to other conventional treatment technologie
