LAUSR

Abstract This study explored the treatment of paper industry effluent using spinning basket membrane ultrafiltration. The effects of various MWCO of membranes (5, 10, 30 and 50 kDa), transmembrane pressure drops (207–414 kPa), rotational speeds (10.47–73.30 rad s−1) and retentate flow rate (1–4 L min−1) on permeate flux and permeate quality were analyzed. The rotational speed induces turbulence and shear force on the active membrane surfaces reduces the deposition of rejected particles thereby increasing the permeate flux. 98% removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) was achieved using 5 kDa MWCO membrane with 52.31 rad s−1 rotational speed. Modified Hermia’s pore blocking mechanism helps to understand the solute particles clogging behavior for all types of membranes. Brownian, rotational and shear-induced diffusion models were applied to evaluate the theoretical flux behavior. Response surface methodology (RSM) has been studied to optimize the filtration process. Optimum permeate quality has been obtained when initial TMP drop, rotational speed, and retentate flow rate were 350.61 kPa, 62.83 rad s−1, and 2 L min−1, respectively.