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Modelling tool to assess membrane regeneration by periodical hydraulic cleaning and fouling control in pressurized membrane process for surface water treatment

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Abstract

In this study, a mathematical model was developed to assess fouling as well as membrane regeneration in a pressurized, hollow-fiber membrane system for the treatment of highly turbid surface water using periodical cleaning by backwashing and forward flushing. The model was validated using experimental data of trans-membrane pressure obtained when filtering separately, a SiO2 solution, a mixed SiO2/sodium alginate (SA) solution, a mixed SiO2/bovin serum albumin (BSA) solution and a mixed SiO2/humic acid (HA). Experimental and theoretical studies highlighted the synergistic fouling effect between SiO2 simulating the colloidal particles and the different elements (HA, SA and BSA) simulating the natural organic matter. Protein fouling was mitigated when mixed with SiO2. While the highest fouling rate was obtained for mixed SiO2/SA solution, the majority of this fouling was removed by periodic cleaning. Moreover, mixed SiO2/HA solution showed also high fouling which was mainly irreversible.

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Abbreviations

C:

Total foulants’ concentration (kg m−3)

J:

Permeate flux (m3 m−2 s−1)

k :

Specific cake resistance kinetic coefficient (–)

k 1 :

Specific cake resistance decrease coefficient (–)

k 2 :

Coefficient of the parameter σ decrease (–)

m a :

Specific matter mass attached to membrane (kg m−2)

m c :

Specific cake mass (kg m−2)

m d :

Specific matter mass detached from membrane (kg m−2)

R 0 :

Membrane intrinsic resistance (m−1)

R c :

Cake resistance (m−1)

TMP:

Trans-membrane pressure (Pa)

α:

Specific cake resistance (m kg−1)

α0 :

Initial specific cake resistance (m kg−1)

γ :

Back-diffusion coefficient (m2 kg−1)

µ :

Permeate viscosity (Pa s)

σ :

Specific cake mass decrease parameter (–)

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Acknowledgements

This research was a part of the project titled ‘Manpower training program for ocean energy’, funded by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Korea. This work was supported by the Korea Research Fellowship Program through the National Research Foundation (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT (NRF-2015H1D3A1059895).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Engineering, Inha University, 100 Inharo, Namgu, Incheon, Republic of Korea

    Amine Charfi, Hoseok Jang & Jeonghwan Kim

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  1. Amine Charfi
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  2. Hoseok Jang
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  3. Jeonghwan Kim
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Correspondence to Jeonghwan Kim.

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This article is a part of Topical Collection in Environmental Earth Sciences on Water Sustainability: A Spectrum of Innovative Technology and Remediation Methods, edited by Dr. Derek Kim, Dr. Kwang-Ho Choo, and Dr. Jeonghwan Kim.

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Charfi, A., Jang, H. & Kim, J. Modelling tool to assess membrane regeneration by periodical hydraulic cleaning and fouling control in pressurized membrane process for surface water treatment. Environ Earth Sci 78, 21 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-018-8011-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-018-8011-4