Analysis and prediction of fouling layer structure in microfiltration

A dynamic analysis procedure has been adopted based on mass and force balances for particle deposition on the membrane surface to analysis and predict the particle fouling layer structure in microfiltration. The local properties in a fouling layer, say porosity distribution, resistance to fluid flow and hydraulic pressure distribution can be estimated by the proposed dynamic analysis with a preliminary request of a set of filtration data and the surface porosity of fouling layer only. A prototype software for the analysis of the fouling layer properties in microfiltration has been devised and can be used both for design of a membrane filtration system and later to predict or monitor its performance during plant operation.