OBJECTIVETo explore the best pretreatment condition of inorganic salting on volatile oil-bearing water body of Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix before membrane separation.

METHODThe simulative system of volatile oil-bearing water body of Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix was pre-treated before membrane separation by salting. The best conditions of salting were determined by selecting types and amounts of inorganic salt as investigate factors and comparing membrane flux and oil retention rate.

RESULTThe best pretreatment condition of inorganic salting on volatile oil-bearing water body of Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix before membrane separation was to add 2% sodium chloride (NaCl) according to the amount of oil-bearing water body. Gas chromatographic fingerprint showed that inorganic salting did not affect the active ingredient of volatile oil.

CONCLUSIONAdding NaCl to volatile oil-bearing water body of Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix before membrane separation can optimize membrane processes by improving membrane flux.