Abstract
Coagulation has been investigated for pretreatment of low-pressure membrane systems such as microfiltration and ultrafiltration. Coagulation pretreatment can reduce foulants (particles and organic matter) prior to membrane filtration. However, when in-line coagulation or submerged type of filtration is used, flocculent aggregates could act as a foulant depending on concentrations and specific properties of floc. A natural water and three synthetic waters were used to investigate effects of coagulation pretreatment and presence of flocculent aggregates on membrane fouling. Coagulation pretreatment shows that foul ants were effectively removed during coagulation and the formed cake layer on the membrane surface had less resistances compared to raw natural water. In addition, little difference in membrane fouling was found by flocculent aggregates from the natural water. Interestingly, however, the results by three synthetic waters indicated that flocculent aggregates could have adverse effects on membrane fouling in a specific condition.