Preparation and characterization of low cost tubular ceramic support membranes using sawdust as a pore-former

• A novel low cost (~$250/m2) ceramic tubular membrane support was prepared.
• Sawdust and kaolin were used as the main raw materials for membrane fabrication.
• Highly porous (36%) tubular membrane of 0.0138 m2 area was achieved.
• Sawdust based membrane possess good chemical stability.
• The flexural strength of the fabricated membrane is 2 MPa without any binder.

The manufacturing of low cost ceramic tubular support membrane via dry compaction method using cheap material, namely, sawdust along with kaolin and feldspar was demonstrated in this study. Thermogravimetric analysis, particle size distribution, image analysis, volumetric porosity and gas permeation experiments, acid–alkali test and three-point bend test were studied to characterize the fabricated membrane, systematically. The support membrane was casted on a cylindrical mold and sintered at three different temperatures of 550, 700 and 850 °C. The average pore diameter of the membrane was decreased with increasing temperature. Adversely, the membrane porosity was increased with increasing temperature. The chemical and mechanical stability of the fabricated membrane were appreciable. Based on raw materials, energy consumption and mold preparation, the cost of the support membrane was estimated as around $250/m2. Hereafter, these low cost support membranes with good physical and chemical properties may be applied for the processing of value-aided products.

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