Effects of three natural organic matter types on cellulose acetate butyrate microfiltration membrane fouling

This study aimed to clarify the effect of interactions between membranes and natural organic matter (NOM), which is considered to be the major membrane foulant in wastewater treatment processes. Sodium alginate (SA), humic acid (HA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) were used as NOM models. Hollow fiber membranes were prepared using cellulose acetate butyrate polymer (CAB). Filtration experiments were carried out using SA, HA and BSA solutions and the membrane fouling behavior was examined. NOM adsorption on CAB membranes was measured by quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D), where NOM solutions were flowed across CAB spin-coated quartz crystal sensors and adsorbed. SA showed more severe permeate flux decline during the early stage of filtration and lower recovery of permeate flux after backwashing compared with HA. The severe flux decline for SA was due to pore-plugging and cake formation with high molecular weight components. The BSA solution, with no high molecular components, showed a gradual permeate flux decline and resulted in lower permeate flux after 240 min filtration compared with HA. The gradual permeate flux decline with the BSA solution was due to ready adsorption of BSA on the CAB membrane.

► This study investigated effect of natural organic matters (NOMs) on membrane fouling.
► Sodium alginate (SA), humic acid (HA) and BSA were used as NOM models.
► NOM adsorption on membranes was measured by QCM-D.
► The severe flux decline with SA solution was due to pore-plugging and cake formation.
► The gradual flux decline with BSA solution was due to adsorption on membrane.