Effect of Pre-chlorination on Ceramic Membrane Fouling Caused by Algal Organic Matter

Abstract

 Algal organic matter (AOM) is one of the factors causing membrane fouling in microfiltration, and pre-chlorination can control membrane fouling by AOM. To evaluate effect of pre-chlorination on membrane fouling by AOM in ceramic membrane treatment, chemical characterization and molecular weight distribution before and after pre-chlorine treatment (1-8 mg·L^-1) were analyzed. As a result, concentrations of DOC and neutral sugar increased in all chlorination conditions, while those of protein after chlorination at 4-8 mg·L^-1 decreased. Moreover, molecular weight distribution showed that main peak shifted from 7.5 kDa to 5.2 kDa after chlorination. In microfiltration test, all chlorine treatment (1-8 mg·L^-1 ) reduced the membrane fouling. From these results, it is suggested that membrane fouling by AOM was controlled by chlorination because it denatured AOM and varied flock size.