Microstructural evolution and physico-chemical properties of a synthesized series of porous ferric and bentonite ceramic membranes

The present study deals with the synthesis, characterization and performance evaluation of ferric and clayey membranes made from Iron ore and Bentonite as feedstock's materials. This work sheds light on the development of new series of ferric and clayey membranes with different percentage composition of raw materials, organic and inorganic additives were synthesized and consolidated by thermal treatment to get ceramic membranes. A kinetic losses process allowed us to select twelve membranes potentially eligible since the intervention of organic additives and their contribution to the microstructure of the membranes. Density and porosity studies permitted to choose the optimal ferric and clayey ceramic membrane formulation. A fabricated ferric membrane (made from 80 wt% iron, 6 wt% clay, 4 wt% me ' thocel, 4 wt% amijel, 4 wt% starch and 2 wt% PVA after sintering at 900 degrees C) showed the highest total porosity of 62.79 % and apparent porosity of 61.02 %. The selected clayey membrane (made from 86 wt% clay, 6 wt% me ' thocel, 4 wt% amijel, 4 wt% starch after sintering at 900 degrees C) has 64.95 % of total porosity and 49.3 % of apparent porosity. The regeneration of both types of ceramic membranes was finally assessed. The results obtained show that may the membrane technology is still young however it has great potential for further improvements.