Application of low-pressure reverse osmosis for effective recovery of bisphenol A from aqueous wastes

In this study, bisphenol A (BPA) was removed from aqueous solutions using a low- pressure reverse osmosis system. The influence of various parameters such as feed pressure (136-544 kPa), feed flow rate (0.25-1.172 L/min), feed concentration (30-100 mg/L), and pH (8, 10, and 11) on BPA rejection was investigated. The results showed a maximum rejection of 87.34% for a 50 mg/L feed concentration at 408.1 kPa, pH 8, and 1.172 L/min feed flow rate. The effect of feed pressure on BPA rejection, showed a critical pressure at which the maximum rejection was observed. This critical pressure was measured to be in the range of 408-476 kPa. The most effective parameter on the BPA rejection was feed flow rate which showed a severe concentration polarization at the surface of the membrane. The effect of feed pH revealed a minimum rejection at pH 10.