• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.51-62
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• 2012

The permeate flux declination along an ultrafilter membrane is due mainly to the concentration-polarization resistance increment and the decline in transmembrane pressure. It was found in previous works that the concentration polarization resistance could be reduced in a ring-rod tubular membrane ultrafilter using the turbulent behavior. In the present study, the performance was further improved by properly and gradually decreasing the baffled-ring distance along the cross-flow channel coupled with properly adjusting the number of baffled rings. This theoretical analysis is based on the mass and momentum balances as well as the application of the resistance-in-series model. The correlation predictions are confirmed with the experimental results for dextran T500 aqueous solution ultrafiltration.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2006

In this study, five commercially available fouling resistant low-pressure RO membranes were investigated for the treatment of seasonally brackish surface water with high organic content (${\approx}24mg/L$). The membranes investigated are LFC-1 (Hydranautics), X20 (Trisep), BW30FR1 (FilmTec), SG (Osmonics), and BE-FR (Saehan). The results of surface characterization revealed that each of these membranes has one or two unique surface characteristics to minimize the adherence of the fouling materials to the membrane. Specifically, the LFC1 membrane features a neutral or low negative surface to minimize electrostatic interactions with charged foulants. The X20, on the other hand, shows a highly negatively charged surface, and thus, is expected to perform well with feed waters containing negatively charged organics and colloids. The BW30FR1 exhibits a relatively neutral and hydrophilic surface, which could be beneficial for lessening organic and/or biofouling. The SG membrane has a smooth surface that makes it quite resistant to fouling, particularly for colloidal deposition. Lastly, BE-FR membrane demonstrated a medium surface charge and a slightly higher hydrophobicity. In the pilot study, all of the four membranes experienced a gradual increase in MTC (water mass transfer coefficient or specific flux) over time, indicating no fouling occurred during the pilot study. The deterioration of permeate water quality such as TDS was also observed over time, suggesting that the integrity of the membranes was compromised by the monochloramine used for biofouling control.