Freeze-Thaw Treatment of Membrane Concentrates Derived from Kraft Pulp Mill Operations

Abstract

Freeze thaw was studied as a waste treatment method for concentration and volume reduction of contaminated waste concentrates that are derived from the use of membrane technology in the treatment of high strength Kraft pulp mill effluents. Unidirectional freezing experiments were conducted to simulate seminatural freezing, in which the independent variables—freezing rate, time frozen, storage temperature, concentration, liquid depth, thawing rate and method of thawing—were examined for their relative importance. Method of thawing followed by freezing rate, rate of thawing, storage temperature, and time frozen were identified as the most important independent variables that contribute significantly to treatment performance. Under ideal conditions, freeze thaw was shown to effectively concentrate and separate the constituent matter of alkaline, extraction-stage membrane concentrate to achieve color removals as high as 73% in the top 70% liquid fraction. The results suggest a new field of use for freeze thaw as a waste treatment process for the management of high strength liquid wastes amenable to mechanical coagulation by freezing.