The report gives results of an evaluation of hyperfiltration for separation of toxic substances in textile process water. Three membranes (cellulose acetate, polyether/amide, and dynamic zirconium oxide/polyacrylic acid) were used to separate process water from scour and dye operations into permeate and concentrated streams. Feed, permeate, and concentrate samples from each run were analyzed. Chemical analyses for organic and metal toxic pollutants and bioassays for rat acute toxicity, fathead minnow and daphnia acute toxicity, microbial mutagenicity, and hamster ovary clone cytotoxicity response were conducted. The minnow and daphnia tests showed active results, with good correlation. The other bioassays produced no response. Toxicant rejections of 55 to 100% were observed: the relative rejection by the three membranes was almost exclusively counter to the relative rejection of salt. Mass balances of biological toxicant were excellent, suggesting high confidence in the result. Chemical analysis for organic compounds sensed 19 of the organic toxic pollutants in low levels, <300 mg/cu m. The results were difficult to interpret for mass balance and membrane rejection of particular solutes. Except for a few compounds, the data appear to suggest membrane separation. Metal toxic pollutant concentrations were low: only three were concentrated enough for valid estimations.

"Clemson University, Department of Mechanical Engineering." "Industrial Environmental Research Laboratory, Office of Energy, Minerals, and Industry." "June 1979." Includes bibliographical references. "Grant no. R805777, program element no. 1LA760."