Application of reverse osmosis to automotive electrocoat paint wastewater recycling

Field and bench-scale reverse osmosis experiments on wastewater derived from automotive electrocoat paint operations are reported. Field experiments were performed continuously over a six-month interval using a reverse osmosis unit equipped with cellulose acetate membranes. An operating pressure of 3100 kPa (450 psi) and a temperature of 24–27°C was maintained. These RO experiments were unusual for two reasons. First, certain solutes in the feedwater were allowed to permeate through the membrane along with water. This was done to permit solute recycling and reuse. Since these solutes (ethyl, butyl and hexyl glycol ethers) were present in a 3% total concentration in the feedstream, their permeation through the membrane eliminated a flux reduction mechanism. This would arise from the increased upstream osmotic pressure if these solutes were concentrated. Second, the experiments were performed under conditions where colloidal lead was present. This caused limited membrane fouling which was controlled via weekly cleaning with dilute lactic acid. Some supporting bench-scale RO experiments were carried out to probe factors influencing this RO application.