Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Fouling mechanisms in the early stage of an enhanced coagulation-ultrafiltration process

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We investigated the fouling performances of ultrafiltration (UF) membrane for treating in-line coagulated water in an enhanced coagulation-UF hybrid process. Then we analyzed the fouling mechanisms in the early stage of UF using mathematical models and microscopy observation methods. Finally, we discussed the impact of aeration on membrane fouling in this paper. The results showed that a two-stage of trans-membrane pressure (TMP) profile during the operation of enhanced coagulation-UF membrane was observed, and the relationship between permeability and operation time fitted well with a logarithmic curve. Membrane pores blocking and cake filtration were confirmed as main membrane fouling mechanisms using the mathematical models. The two stages of membrane fouling mechanisms were further deduced, namely, the membrane pore narrowing followed by the formation of cake layer. Membrane autopsy analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of the membrane surface sampled from different filtration cycles also confirmed the mechanisms of pores blocking and cake filtration. Moreover, according to the variations of the permeability and membrane fouling resistance, aeration was able to mitigate and control the membrane fouling to a certain extent, but the optimization of aeration conditions still needs to be studied.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Shannon M A, Bohn P W, Elimelech M, Georgiadis J G, Mariñas B J, Mayes A M. Science and technology for water purification in the coming decades. Nature, 2008, 452(7185): 301–310

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Hoek E M V, Bhattacharjee S, Elimelech M. Effect of membrane surface roughness on colloid-membrane DLVO interactions. Langmuir, 2003, 19(11): 4836–4847

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Costa A R, de Pinho M N, Elimelech M. Mechanisms of colloidal natural organic matter fouling in ultrafiltration. Journal of Membrane Science, 2006, 281(1–2): 716–725

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Lawrence N D, Perera J M, Iyer M, Hickey MW, Stevens GW. The use of streaming potential measurements to study the fouling and cleaning of ultrafiltration membranes. Separation and Purification Technology, 2006, 48(2): 106–112

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Yamamura H, Kimura K, Okajima T, Tokumoto H, Watanabe Y. Affinity of functional groups for membrane surfaces: implications for physically irreversible fouling. Environmental Science & Technology, 2008, 42(14): 5310–5315

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Lee E K, Chen V, Fane A G. Natural organic matter (NOM) fouling in low pressure membrane filtration — effect of membranes and operation modes. Desalination, 2008, 218(1–3): 257–270

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Howe K J, Clark M M. Fouling of microfiltration and ultrafiltration membranes by natural waters. Environmental Science & Technology, 2002, 36(16): 3571–3576

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Lee N H, Amy G, Croué J P, Buisson H. Identification and understanding of fouling in low-pressure membrane (MF/UF) filtration by natural organic matter (NOM). Water Research, 2004, 38(20): 4511–4523

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Brinck J, Jonsson A S, Jonsson B, Lindau J. Influence of pH on the adsorptive fouling of ultrafiltration membranes by fatty acid. Journal of Membrane Science, 2000, 164(1–2): 187–194

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Lee S, Cho J W, Elimelech M. Combined influence of natural organic matter (NOM) and colloidal particles on nanofiltration membrane fouling. Journal of Membrane Science, 2005, 262(1–2): 27–41

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Hong S K, Elimelech M. Chemical and physical aspects of natural organic matter (NOM) fouling of nanofiltration membranes. Journal of Membrane Science, 1997, 132(2): 159–181

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Lee J D, Lee S H, Jo M H, Park P K, Lee C H, Kwak J W. Effect of coagulation conditions on membrane filtration characteristics in coagulation-microfiltration process for water treatment. Environmental Science & Technology, 2000, 34(17): 3780–3788

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Fan L H, Harris J L, Roddick F A, Booker N A. Influence of the characteristics of natural organic matter on the fouling of microfiltration membranes. Water Research, 2001, 35(18): 4455–4463

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Kang S K, Choo K H. Why does a mineral oxide adsorbent control fouling better than powdered activated carbon in hybrid ultrafiltration water treatment? Journal of Membrane Science, 2010, 355(1–2): 69–77

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Crozes G, Jacangelo J, Anselme C, Laine J. Impact of ultrafiltration operating conditions on membrane irreversible fouling. Journal of Membrane Science, 1997, 124(1): 63–76

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Zsirai T, Buzatu P, Aerts P, Judd S. Efficacy of relaxation, backflushing, chemical cleaning and clogging removal for an immersed hollow fibre membrane bioreactor. Water Research, 2012, 46(14): 4499–4507

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Yamamura H, Chae S, Kimura K, Watanabe Y. Transition in fouling mechanism in microfiltration of a surface water. Water Research, 2007, 41(17): 3812–3822

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Lee N, Amy G, Croue J P, Buisson H. Morphological analyses of natural organic matter (NOM) fouling of low-pressure membranes (MF/UF). Journal of Membrane Science, 2005, 261(1–2): 7–16

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Wang J, Wang X C. Ultrafiltration with in-line coagulation for the removal of natural humic acid and membrane fouling mechanism. Journal of Environmental Sciences-China, 2006, 18(5): 880–884

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Grenier A, Meireles M, Aimar P, Carvin P. Analysing flux decline in dead-end filtration. Chemical Engineering Research & Design, 2008, 86(11 11A): 1281–1293

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Wang F L, Tarabara V V. Pore blocking mechanisms during early stages of membrane fouling by colloids. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 2008, 328(2): 464–469

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Chu H, Dong B, Zhang Y, Zhou X, Yu Z. Pollutant removal mechanisms in a bio-diatomite dynamic membrane reactor for micro-polluted surface water purification. Desalination, 2012, 293: 38–45

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Huang H, Schwab K, Jacangelo J G. Pretreatment for low pressure membranes in water treatment: a review. Environmental Science & Technology, 2009, 43(9): 3011–3019

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Barbot E, Moustier S, Bottero J Y, Moulin P. Coagulation and ultrafiltration: understanding of the key parameters of the hybrid process. Journal of Membrane Science, 2008, 325(2): 520–527

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Howe K J, Marwah A, Chiu K P, Adham S S. Effect of coagulation on the size of MF and UF membrane foulants. Environmental Science & Technology, 2006, 40(24): 7908–7913

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Park P K, Lee C H, Choi S J, Choo K H, Kim S H, Yoon C H. Effect of the removal of DOMs on the performance of a coagulation-UF membrane system for drinking water production. Desalination, 2002, 145(1–3): 237–245

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Pikkarainen A T, Judd S J, Jokela J, Gillberg L. Pre-coagulation for microfiltration of an upland surface water. Water Research, 2004, 38(2): 455–465

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Best G, Singh M, Mourato D, Chang Y J. Application of immersed ultrafiltration membranes for organic removal and disinfection byproduct reduction. Water Supply, 2001, 1(5–6): 221–231

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Sun L H, Li X, Xia S J, Lü M, Li G B. Pilot study of potassium permanganate enhancing Songhua River water treatment by coagulation/sand filtration /ultrafiltration process. Membrane Science and Technology, 2008, 28(01): 77–80

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Liang H, Yang Y L, Gong W J, Li X, Li G B. Effect of pretreatment by permanganate/chlorine on algae fouling control for ultrafiltration (UF) membrane system. Desalination, 2008, 222(1–3): 74–80

    Google Scholar 

  31. Zheng X, Ernst M, Jekel M. Identification and quantification of major organic foulants in treated domestic wastewater affecting filterability in dead-end ultrafiltration. Water Research, 2009, 43(1): 238–244

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. USEPA. Membrane Filtration Guidance Manual. Ohio: United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water, 2005

    Google Scholar 

  33. Lin C F, Lin Y C, Chandana P S, Tsai C Y. Effects of mass retention of dissolved organic matter and membrane pore size on membrane fouling and flux decline. Water Research, 2009, 43(2): 389–394

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150090, China

    Haiqing Chang & Guibai Li

  2. College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610207, China

    Haiqing Chang & Baicang Liu

  3. Southwest Municipal Engineering Design and Research Institute of China, Chengdu, 610081, China

    Wanshen Luo

Authors
  1. Haiqing Chang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Baicang Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Wanshen Luo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Guibai Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Baicang Liu.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Chang, H., Liu, B., Luo, W. et al. Fouling mechanisms in the early stage of an enhanced coagulation-ultrafiltration process. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng. 9, 73–83 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-014-0692-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-014-0692-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation