Fouling Essay

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Fouling:
Ultrafiltration systems kept on working under a fixed pressure of range 3-4 bar. The permeate flux was measured over time while keeping the feed solution circulating at a fixed pressure across the surface of the membrane. Fouling is the existence of colloidal and macromolecular substances on the membrane surface which is an important factor in determining the performance of the ultrafiltration membranes (Baker, 2012).
The flux of pure water is normally very high reaching to about 500l/m2.h. But when adding a membrane, this flux drops dramatically 10 times lower reaching to values of 50l/m2.h. the formation of a gel that adds u solutes is the main reason behind this drop. This layer of gel adds resistance by forming a barrier to the flow. As illustrated in figure 2.3 (Baker, 2012).

Figure 2.3 fouling on an ultrafiltration membrane

The composition and the fluid dynamics also dictate the flux and its initial decline. Depending on the feed solution sometimes the flux might keep at its declined flux for weeks, and pure water is used to retest the membrane to return the flux to its normal rate. The precipitation of the gel layer and the formation of this barrier also known as membrane fouling is sometimes hard to control. Several techniques can be applied to control this problem like: regular membrane cleaning, back flushing, or using membranes with surface characteristics that minimize adhesion. Also a new technique is being used which called air is scrubbing. Also reducing the pressure helps reduce and delay the formation of the gel layer.
A representation of the slow decrease in flux that can result from consolidation of the fouled layer is presented in figure 2.4.

Figure 2.4 ultrafiltration fluxes as a function of tim...

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... across the membrane reached 0.3 the system was taken of-line and cleaned. It is clear that by decreasing the flux the cleaning cycle expands over a longer period of time.

Figure 2.6 the constant flux effect on the transmembrane pressure
The trans-membrane pressure versus time curves has a unique form. The pressure increases gradually overtime until it reaches a certain high value. After which the pressure rises sharply, after which the system needs to be taken off-line and cleaned.
This curve is due to the fact that during the process the pores are not all clogged uniformly. Some are clogged while others are still open for the flux. The left pores which are still open exhibit high flux which leads to their clogging and fouling faster than the initial ones this symbolizes the sharp increase in the curve over time, leading to the complete closing of the membrane.

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