2010 Volume 43 Issue 10 Pages 815-828
A three-dimensional direct simulation model for studying pressure-driven dead-end microfiltration was developed. The simulation model employs the Euler–Lagrange hybrid method to analyze concentrated suspensions, and it is useful for understanding the fouling process in dead-end microfiltration. We performed numerical simulations using a membrane model with a straight pore for particle concentrations of 2% and 5% and used the permeate flux and particle rejection to evaluate the filtration performance. The simulations reproduced the well-known experimental fact that the decrease in the permeate flux increases with increasing particle concentration. Snapshots of particles dynamics obtained from the simulation are presented, and the difference between the fouling processes corresponding to the two particle concentrations is discussed. The starting point of fouling approached closer to the feed side of the membrane as the particle concentration increased. In addition, we demonstrated the simulation of backwash operation, determined the transient properties of the permeate flux during three backwash cycles, and observed that the backwash led to the removal of the deposited particles.
