Assessment of membrane fouling indices during removal of reactive dye from batik wastewater

'Batik' is known as one of the most popular textile industries in Malaysia, and it produces wastewater in its processing. The wastewater contains reactive dye and is released into drains as well as rivers. It could cause harm to the environment and interrupt the food chain due to the chemicals contained in it. The aim of the present study is to determine the flux performance and modified fouling index using ultrafiltration (MFI-UF) by using different membrane materials, feed concentrations and feed chemistry. The sample was obtained from Romi Batik located at Chendering Terengganu. Two UF membranes were used, with the membrane materials made from cellulose acetate and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). The permeate flux and fouling indices were investigated at the solution pH values of 3 and 7 for different concentrations. It was clearly observed that the highest percentage dye rejection and MFI-UF obtained at pH 7 using a PVDF membrane was a value of 85.3792% and 72,088 s/L-2, respectively. Overall results revealed that an ultrafiltration process can be used to treat reactive dye from textiles before it is channelled into the sea or rivers, and has great potential to be commercialized as a new alternative in dye wastewater treatment.