Reverse osmosis treatment of process water streams

R.O. separation has been considered for the treatment of a relevant water stream involved in a phenol production plant of high capacity. The stream contains significant quantities of two organic peroxides and of sodium salts of organic acids which demand appreciable processing in order to allow for its reuse within the process or, alternatively, for its discharge. Different R.O. membranes have been tested in a pilot plant in order to examine the feasibility of the process and to obtain reliable parameters for the design of a reverse osmosis plant.