Evaluation of factors influencing membrane performance

Weihua Peng, Isabel C. Escobar

Research output: Contribution to specialist publicationArticle

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

Three commercial water treatment membranes, TFC-S (Koch membranes, San Diego, CA), ESPA1, and NTR7450 (Hydranautics, San Diego, CA), were tested under various physical and chemical conditions to investigate their fouling behaviors. It was found that TFC-S always displayed the greatest rate of flux decline, ESPA1 displayed a mild trend in flux decline, and NTR7450 presented a nearly stable flux. Multivariable regression models showed that the flux decline rates for TFC-S and ESPA1 were controlled by the initial permeate flux, whereas their initial (that is, instantaneous) foulings were controlled by the interaction between permeate drag and electrostatic repulsions. Feed bacteria concentration also contributed to the initial fouling of ESPA1 as a result of cell deposition on the membrane surface. NTR7450 showed an initial decline in flux followed by a steady flux, and its initial fouling was significantly affected by feed water total organic carbon (TOC) arising from the initial accumulation of colloidal organic particles on the surface.

Original languageEnglish
Pages392-399
Number of pages8
Volume24
No4
Specialist publicationEnvironmental Progress
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2005

Keywords

  • Fouling
  • Fouling experimental
  • Initial permeate flux
  • Membrane
  • Specific flux decline
  • Water treatment

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Environmental Science

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