Pulp and Paper Wastewater Treatment by Composite Polyphenylene Oxide Membranes

The pulp and paper industry is currently faced with the challenge of substantially reducing the discharge of contaminants to the receiving environment. Water is of primary importance in the paper making process. The pulp and paper industry has been a large user of fresh water in comparison to several other manufacturing industries. Continuous progress has been made by the pulp and paper industry in reducing the fresh water use because of growing environmental concerns and stricter government regulations. Water use reduction in a paper mill has been accomplished primarily by closing up the water system. Water system closure, however, results in an increased concentration of suspended, dissolved and colloidal materials in the system, which in turn could result in a poor quality of paper and operational problems. Because of the solid buildup problems, paper mills are looking for alternative processes for internal treatment of water. Among the alternative processes, membrane separation process is getting an ever-increasing acceptance.