DESALINATION ELSEVIER Desalination 148 (2002) 267-273 Membrane aromatic recovery system (MARS): lab bench to industrial pilot scale Frederic0 Castelo Ferreira”, Sheijiao Han”, Andrew Boamb, Shengfu Zhangb, Andrew G. Livingstona-b,* “Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London, SW7 28x United Kingdom “Membrane Extraction Technology Ltd,. room 437 Sherfield build, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, SW7 2BE London, United Kingdom Tel. +44 (207) 5945582: Fax +44 (207) 5945429; email: a.livingston@ic.ac,uk Received 1 February 2002; accepted 29 March 2002 zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWV Abstract This article describes a novel process for recovery of aromatic amines and phenolic compounds form wastewaters, the membrane aromatic recovery aromatic system (MARS). Laboratory work on wastewaters containing aniline and phenol will be presented, including data demonstrating removal and recovery of each chemical in a sufficiently pure form to allow recycling into a chemical production process. This article also describes successful scale-up and operation of the process through pilot trials at Solutia, UK. Process economics are discussed and data showing the potential for application of the process to a wide range of organic chemicals are presented. Keywords: Aniline; Phenol; Recovery; Membrane separation; Wastewater treatment 1. Introduction Phenolic compounds are used in phenolic resins, polycarbonates, biocides and agrochemicals. Aromatic amines are used in a wide range of con- sumer products, including polyurethane foam, dyes, rubber chemicals and pharmaceuticals. The factories that manufacture and/or use these types of chemicals often create aqueous waste streams containing significant (0.1-10 wt%) amounts of aromatic amines or phenolic compounds. These wastes are typically disposed of off site or treated *Corresponding author. using expensive activated carbon. Presented at the International Congress on Membranes and Membrane Processes (ICOM), Toulouse, France, July 7-12, 2002. OOI I-9164/02/$- See front matter 0 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved PII: zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA so0 I I-9 164(02)00709-9