Application of the Experimental Design for the Optimization of Microfiltration Membrane

In the present study, the effect of zirconia powder content, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), Contact time and sintering temperature of zirconia microfiltration membrane elaboration were evaluated using Plackett-Burman design (PBD) and investigated by thickness and pore diameter. The zirconia microfiltration membrane has been prepared by the powder suspension technique. A deflocculated suspension of zirconia was obtained by mixing (5-10% w/w) of zirconia, (30-35% w/w) of PVA (12% w/w aqueous solution) as binder and water. The zirconia layer was deposited on the inner surface of clay support by slip casting with a contact time (2-5 min). After drying at room temperature, the ZrO2 membrane was sintered (800-1000°C) for 2 hours. By using PBD, sintering temperature, PVA and zirconia were recognized and selected as important effectives parameters of pore diameter; On the other hand, PVA and contact time were the main controlling parameters of the thickness of zirconia microfiltration layer. The optimal factors to elaborate the microfiltration membrane by using experimental design include a sintering temperature of 1000°C, zirconia content of 5%, PVA content of 30% and contact time of 2 min predicting a pores diameter of 0,24 µm and thickness of 24 µm.