Effect of free calcium concentration and ionic strength on alginate fouling in cross-flow membrane filtration

Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) are generally negatively charged polymers. Membrane fouling in membrane bioreactors (MBRs) by EPS is therefore influenced by the water chemistry of the mixed liquor (calcium concentration, foulant concentration and ionic strength). We used alginate as a model compound to study this fouling in detail. Flux-step experiments were performed with a flat sheet test cell, varying the free calcium concentration, total ionic strength and alginate concentration. There was a strong relation between calcium concentration and fouling rate. An increased ionic strength had no impact on fouling rate in low fouling experiments, but decreased fouling with 66–72% at high fouling conditions. Reversibility of the fouling decreased with increasing calcium concentrations to values as low as 3%. Several fouling mechanisms were identified and the reducing effect of increased ionic strength on alginate fouling was explained by competition for carboxyl groups on the alginate polymer. Further research will focus on the interaction of polysaccharides with other compounds typically present in the MBR supernatant (e.g. proteins, humic acids and sludge particles) and a more detailed analysis of the fouling layer.