Low operational costs, relatively simple operation, scale-up and maintenance are the main reason for using membrane separation processes in a wide range of applications. The purpose of this work was to prepare, characterize and investigate the influence of processing parameters (T, P) and of an internal surface modification on the performance of UHMWPE membranes. Sinterization was the technique used for membrane preparation. Tubular sintered UHMWPE membranes were prepared with powders sieved through #80 and #100 mesh. Processing conditions were: a) temperature (200 and 220 °C); b) compacting pressures (0, 4 and 6 kgf/cm²); and c) sintering time (90 minutes). Surface modified membranes were obtained by internally impregnating selected UHMWPE membranes with a HDPE dilute solution. Membranes were characterized by SEM, mercury porosimetry water flux. Our data indicate that, porosity and permeate flux decreased with increasing temperature and compacting pressures as well as with membrane internal surface impregnation.
Compacting; water flux; membranes; UHMWPE; sintering
