Analysis of fouling resistances under dynamic membrane filtration

The mechanisms of fouling in the ultrafiltration of polyethylene glycol (PEG) are analysed using the complete blocking and the intermediate blocking Hermia's models adapted to crossflow filtration. The parameters of these models were theoretically estimated. The predicted results were compared with experimental data. Ultrafiltration experiments were performed with Carbosep M2 monotubular ceramic (Orelis, S.A. (France)). The fouling ultrafiltration experiments were carried out at a constant temperature and feed concentration and different feed flow rates and transmembrane pressures. The precision in the predictions is very high. The results showed that the phenomenon controlling fouling was intermediate blocking for high fouling conditions.

Research highlights
► Selection of the best model can only be performed for high fouling conditions.
► The intermediate blocking model achieves the best predictions for Rf.
► Values of theoretically estimated model parameter are consistent with fouling theory.
► A model to estimate model parameter as a function of TMP and vtangvtang was proposed.