An approach for Elucidating Fouling Phenomenon and its Mechanism

Abstract

In this study, both experimental and computer simulation studies have been conducted to elucidate fouling phenomenon and its mechanism in water treatment using membranes. First, permeation tests of humic acid solution through four membranes with different membrane pore structures were executed. Permeate flux of humic acid solution through any membranes decreased by around 20% compared to initial pure water flux, and then the pure water flux which was again measured aftert he humic acid solution permeation test almost recovered to their initial pure water flux. This indicates that adsorption of humic acid on the membrane and pore wall was not an essential issue for the noninvertible flux decline, independent of membrane pore structures. Second, the particles in water were focused on, and computer simulation study was conducted using the simulator SNAP-F, to clarifyt he behavior of particles near the membranes during filtration op eration of particle suspension. In this simulation, the behavior was observed that the pores of the membrane were blocked by aggregated particles as the filtration operation progressed. It was probably indicated that one of the major issues for the noninvertible flux decline was particles behavior; they formed aggregates and blocked the pores. It is important to investigate which types of membranes or what experimental condition is effectivef or suppressing such particles behavior.