Transport properties of oleuropein through nanofiltration membranes

• Oleuropein rejection and flux were predicted using membrane transport parameters.
• Osmotic pressure was revealed as the main factor causing decline on NF flux.
• A satisfactory approach was developed to predict the membrane performance.

The present work investigates the effect of feed concentration and magnitudes of applied pressure of olive-extracted oleuropein on permeate flux and membrane transport properties through concentration polarization in a nanofiltration (NF) membrane. The filtration of oleuropein model solution by an NF membrane using different feed concentrations (0.3, 0.9, or 2.7 kg m−3) enables the correlation of a transport model, comprised concentration polarization and osmotic pressure models, to membrane retention performance, evaluated using the Spiegler–Kedem model. Moreover, osmotic pressure was observed and interpreted using the van’t Hoff equation at different levels of feed concentration and applied pressure. Transport parameters (reflection coefficient, water and oleuropein permeability, and mass transfer coefficient) were correlated with experiment values by developing a mathematical model that reflects the flux decline by increasing osmotic pressure.

Simulation of NF membrane performance using transport parameters (Robs, observed rejection of oleuropein and Rint, intrinsic rejection of oeluropein).Figure optionsDownload high-quality image (114 K)Download as PowerPoint slide