Development and module design of a novel membrane process for the removal of chlorine and its associated forms from wastewater

A novel membrane process has been developed to a preliminary stage for the removal of chlorine (including HClO) from wastewater. The method involves an initial extraction of chlorine gas from the water through the air-filled pores of a hydrophobic membrane. The chlorine is then reacted with iodide (reducing agent) at the opposite membrane face to produce iodine which is stabilised as the ${I_3}^{-}$ ion. Several preliminary trials have been run commencing with chlorine concentrations of 3000 ppm and 100 ppm. All trials showed that the process removes chlorine from solution but mass transfer is slow. Further work is required to investigate the use of other possibly more effective reducing agents such as sulfites in order to increase the efficiency of the process.