Role of microbial concentration on membrane fouling under different flux operations

Abstract

Abstract

In the present study, the influence of MLSS concentration on membrane fouling mechanisms was investigated.  The resistance series model with different steps of fouling removal was applied to estimate fouling resistance in each experiment.  The results showed that membrane total fouling resistance had a positive correlation with MLSS concentration under supra-critical flux operation, while there was no significant change in total resistance with MLSS variation under sub-critical flux.  In contrast, the MLSS increasing resulted in the pore fouling enlargement under sub-critical flux operation.  The higher the MLSS was, the greater the cake fouling resistance was observed under supra-critical flux operation.