A dead-end filtration method to rapidly and quantitatively evaluate the fouling resistance of nylon mesh for membrane bioreactors

Mesh filters, which are characterized by low filtration resistance and low costs, are an attractive alternative to conventional microfiltration or ultrafiltration membranes for membrane bioreactor (MBR) operation. However, because of their unique filtration behaviors, effective methods are still lacking to evaluate the filtration resistance of such materials. In this work, a novel dead-end filtration test method was developed to rapidly and quantitatively measure the filtration resistance of nylon mesh. To simplify and accelerate the test process, uniform design technique in combination with statistical analysis techniques were used for optimization of the operating conditions, including stirring rate, trans-membrane pressure and sludge concentration. The results demonstrate that dead-end filtration method enables a reliable measurement of the filtration resistance and its distributions within only 23 min. In addition, the uniform design technique here was proven to be a useful tool to facilitate the method development and process optimization. The results of this work offers a foundation for in-depth investigation into mesh filter materials, and may hopefully be further extended to other aspects of coarse filter-based MBR investigations.

► Dead-end filtration test method for evaluating fouling propensity of mesh filters.
► Uniform experimental design and programming technique for process optimization.
► Good applicability to various mesh filter materials for membrane bioreactor.