In this work, membrane based activated carbon have been studied, and because of the large surface area and, consequently, adsorption of pores, has a wide use for purification of liquids or gases in its entirety. The basic idea is the refinement of the technological expertise of obtaining organic resin composite membranes - activated carbon with porosity characteristics typical of type UF membranes. The membranes were prepared with 40% vol. epoxy resin and 60% vol. Commercial activated carbon micro and mesoporous MADECARBO®, crude, evaluating three types of solvents (toluene, ethyl acetate and ethanol). Physical characterizations such as density Archimedes demonstrated an apparent porosity of 47% - 70% for raw coal and 49% - 62% for dry coal. The microstructure of the specimens was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, indicating good homogeneity of the resin-carbon interaction for both formulations with raw coal, and for dry coal. The flow tests were conducted in a test cell to tubular membranes that simulates parallel flow type filter. As for the flow, the formulation with the lowest result of this property was a coal dry amid ethyl acetate. As for the raw coal, the lowest flow was obtained from the coal of the same nature, but amid absolute ethyl alcohol. From the results, it was concluded that this type of media is strongly influenced by the process for obtaining the formulation and, consequently, the microstructure of the specimens, plays an important role for the type of filtration obtained.

1. INFLUENCE OF ORGANIC SOLVENTS ON THE
PREPARATION OF COMPOSITE MEMBRANES-EPOXY
RESIN APPLIED IN MICROFILTRATION
In this work, membrane based activated carbon have been studied, and because of the large surface area and,
consequently, adsorption of pores, has a wide use for purification of liquids or gases in its entirety. The basic idea is the
refinement of the technological expertise of obtaining organic resin composite membranes - activated carbon with
porosity characteristics typical of type UF membranes. The membranes were prepared with 40% vol. epoxy resin and
60% vol. Commercial activated carbon micro and mesoporous MADECARBO®, crude, evaluating three types of
solvents (toluene, ethyl acetate and ethanol). Physical characterizations such as density Archimedes demonstrated an
apparent porosity of 47% - 70% for raw coal and 49% - 62% for dry coal. The microstructure of the specimens was
evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, indicating good homogeneity of the resin-carbon interaction for both
formulations with raw coal, and for dry coal. The flow tests were conducted in a test cell to tubular membranes that
simulates parallel flow type filter. As for the flow, the formulation with the lowest result of this property was a coal dry
amid ethyl acetate. As for the raw coal, the lowest flow was obtained from the coal of the same nature, but amid absolute
ethyl alcohol. From the results, it was concluded that this type of media is strongly influenced by the process for
obtaining the formulation and, consequently, the microstructure of the specimens, plays an important role for the type of
filtration obtained.
The development of membranes for potable water has become relevant on the issue of sustainability. The technology of
composite membranes based activated carbon and resin falls as promising in this matter, because being a high system
stability and efficiency, low operating cost and capital, low power consumption and ease of operation [1-4]
ABSTRACTABSTRACT
INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION
Based on the data (Tab.1), it is observed that the membrane-based toluene, both the microporous activated carbon, and for the
mesoporous, showed higher flow. The microstructure of this material (Fig. 2-aed) showed the most irregular aspect, which probably
promoted greater flow. When we observe the density values of the toluene-based membranes, there is, in general, higher density,​​
which proves the direct influence of the microstructure. As for other solvents, flow values considerably reduced, only being changed​​
when changing the nature of the coal. The flow values remained consistent for all samples, however it is observed that the​​
mesoporous activated carbon showed higher values of flow. When analyzing the micrographs of the samples with their respective​​
densities, we see a close correlation of the properties found in the specimens.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONRESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The experiment was to evaluate the influence of different types of solvents (toluene, ethyl acetate and ethyl alcohol), the
interaction actived carbon-resin, flow rate and density of the membranes. For such, the type of activated carbon used is
microporous and misoporous order to determine the most influenced by the solvents. Formulations were homogenized at
a ratio of 0.58 vol% actived carbon and 0.42 vol% epoxy resin. The amount of organic solvent so that trial was the
minimum amount necessary for complete saturation of the active carbon..
It can be concluded that the control of the porosity of the material is crucial in an attempt to obtain membranes with higher flow and
porosity can be made by the nature of the solvent, and activated carbon. It is through the control of these variables obtained
membranes for different applications.
OBJECTIVEOBJECTIVE
EXPERIMENTSEXPERIMENTS
CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION
BIBLIOGRAPHYBIBLIOGRAPHY
SUPPORTSUPPORT
Micro Meso
Solvente
Density
(g/cm3
)
Porosity
Area
(cm2
)
Density
(g/cm3
)
Porosity
Area
(cm2
)
Toluene 0,47 64,26 136,07 0,53 59,76 112,75
Ethyl Acetate 0,52 60,92 116,08 0,54 59,51 110,29
Ethyl Alcohol 0,65 50,24 77,65 0,61 56,86 93,74
This study aimed to investigate the influence of organic solvents, as well as different kind of activated carbon, the
preparation and characterization of a composite membrane-based activated carbon and epoxy resin for application in
microfiltration.
Micro Carbon Meso Carbon
Time (min) Volume
(mL)
Toluene
Volume
(mL)
Ethyl
Acetate
Volume
(mL)
Ethyl
Alcohol
Volume
(mL)
Toluene
Volume
(mL)
Ethyl
Acetate
Volume
(mL)
Ethyl
Alcohol
0,5 3710 3090 1520 4529 4006 1790
1 7690 6320 2890 9249 8091 3650
1,5 11470 9600 4250 13869 12114,5 5570
2 15565 12800 5570 18589 16121 7520
2,5 19630 16090 6870 23299 20256 9430
Tab. 1 – Flow test samples
Tab. 2 – Test samples of Archimedes.
Fig. 1 – SEM microporous actived-carbon membranes: (a) Toluene,, (b) Ethyl Acetate e (c) Ethyl Alcohol
(a) (b) (c)
(d) (e) (f)
Fig. 2 – SEM misoporous actived-carbon membranes: (d) Toluene, (e) Ethyl Acetate e (f) Ethyl Alcohol
[1] W.S. Winston Ho, K.K. Sirkar, Chapter 1: Overview, in: W.S. Winston Ho, K.K. Sirkar (Eds.), Membrane Handbook,
Chapman&Hall, NewYork, London, 1992,
pp. 3–15.
[2] M. Mulder, Chapter 1: Introduction, in: M. Mulder (Ed.), Basic Principle of Membrane Technology, Kluwer Academic
Publisher, Dordrecht/Boston/London, 1991, pp. 1–15.
[3] W. Eykamp, Chapter 1: Microfiltration and ultrafiltration, in: R.D. Noble, S.A. Stern (Eds.), Membrane Science and Technology
Series, 1, Membrane Separations Technology: Principles and Applications, Elsevier Science, B.V., 1995, pp. 1–40.
[4] R.W. Baker, Chapter 1: Overview of membrane science and technology, in: R.W. Baker (Ed.), Membrane Technology and
Applications, 2nd Edition, John Wiley & Sons Ltd, 2004, pp. 1–14.
National Counsel of Technological and Scientific Development – CNPq and National Institute of Technology - INT