Development of Asymmetric Ceramic Membranes Coated with Residue of Granite for Use in Wastewater Treatment

This work deals with preparation and characterization of asymmetric ceramic membranes using the residue as a precursor of granite, for use in the treatment of effluents. For this, were prepared ceramic supports of alumina coated with a layer of residue of granite and sintered at temperatures of 800, 850 and 900° C for 1h for each temperature. The characterization of the membranes was accomplished through the technique of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), flow measurements with deionized water and analysis of rejection of indigo blue in a synthetic effluent. SEM images revealed that the membrane sintered at 900°C was completely covered with a uniform layer of residue. Flow analysis with deionized water showed that the calcined membrane at 800oC presented the largest flow. Rejection tests showed that the membranes were efficient in removing indigo blue from effluent.