Removal and fouling mechanisms in nanofiltration of polysaccharide solutions
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Date
2005Author
Broeckmann, A.
Wintgens, T.
Schäfer, Andrea
Metadata
Abstract
Tubular membrane filtration is an important process when feed waters with a relatively high solids content
are filtered. Such solids would normally have to be removed in a pre-treatment stage if spiral wound modules
are to be used. High solids content occurs for example in high turbidity surface waters, wastewaters that
contain fibrous materials or in waters where coagulants are added. Tubular membranes can be used directly
in nanofiltration (NF) and in this study fouling by a solution containing polysaccharides is examined.
The study was designed in view of a wastewater recycling application where polysaccharides like cellulose
are a major constituent of the effluent organic matter (EfOM) and colloidal organics. The investigation was
performed with various organic compounds and varying solution chemistry namely pH and ionic strength.
Two solutes in several concentrations have been used: Cellulose (particulate) and microcrystalline cellulose
(colloidal) in addition with various CaCl2 and NaCl concentrations. The operating parameters investigated
were cross flow velocity, transmembrane pressure (TMP) and pH. Membranes were cleaned after each
filtration experiment and flux recovery was measured.
As a general trend, it was observed that with increasing cellulose concentration fouling increases and that
solution chemistry plays an important role in the association of foulants with the membranes. The
permeability decreases for high and neutral pH conditions in the presence of salt ions. Calcium affects the
flux more than sodium. The permeability at acidic pH values is relatively low and not influenced by the ions
as much as for other pH conditions. Electrostatic interactions between membrane, salt ions and cellulose can
explain this behaviour. Calcium ions were confirmed to play an important role in membrane fouling.
Increasing cross flow velocity decreases the reversible fouling but increases the irreversible fouling.