Abstract
Two–dimensional simulations for elucidating the mechanism of fouling phenomena due to particulates in dead–endmembrane filtration were described in this paper. In this simulation model, both the motion of particles and the fluidflow were simultaneously computed based on a Newtonian dynamics and the fluctuating Navier–Stokes equation,accounting for a variety of particle–to–particle and particle–to–membrane interactions, and particle–to–liquid hydro-dynamic interaction. In terms of particle property, the simulation results indicated that smaller magnitude of zetapotential set off aggregation and adhesion onto the membrane surface, resulting in severe fouling. Additionally interms of membrane structure and running conditions, it was elucidated that higher velocity of the fluid relative to thewall surfaces of the pores due to curved pore structures and due to larger pressure gradient caused severe fouling.Consequently we can conclude that it is effective to employ highly–charged membranes with straight pores and tooperate under low–pressure conditions for suppressing membrane fouling due to particulates or its aggregates adhe-sion.
