• Membrane Journal
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.205-212
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• 2020

This short review focuses on fouling by proteins and macromolecules in microfiltration/ultrafiltration. First, an experimental system that enables investigation of how the extent of the adsorption of proteins and macromolecules on membrane surfaces contributes to a decrease in filtrate flux in microfiltration/ultrafiltration is described. Using this system, a causal relationship - not a correlation - indicating that adsorption results in a decrease in filtrate flux could be clearly demonstrated in some cases. Second, a hydration structure at the membrane surface that can suppress adsorption is discussed, inspired by biomaterial research. In their hydrated states, polymers with low-fouling properties have water molecules with a particular structure. Finally, some successful examples of the development of low-fouling membranes via surface modification using low-fouling polymers are discussed.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.323-337
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• 2015

Membrane Fouling was considered as major drawback in various industrial applications. Thus, this paper reviews the surface modification of polyethersulfone (PES) membranes for antifouling performance. Various modification techniques clearly indicate that hydrophilicity has to improve on the PES membrane surface. Moreover, the mechanism of fouling reduction with corresponds to various modification methods is widely discussed. Incorporation of hydrophilic functional groups on PES membrane surface enhances the surface free energy thereby which reduces the fouling. Characterization techniques adopted for the surface modified membranes was also discussed. These studies might be useful for the other researchers to utilize the modification technique for the applications of waste water treatment, chemical process industry and food industry.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.28-40
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• 2002

The primary objective of this study is to elucidate the contribution of the electrostatic and molecula structural properties of an active layer of the thin film compsite (TFC) membranes to fouling tendency. The studies of surface morphology and surface charge were very effective in understanding fouling behaviors of the reverse osmosis (RO) membranes which were the thin film composite type of ployamide. Results of microscopic morphology analyzed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and surface charge analyzed by electrokinetic analyzer (EKA) showed important factors affecting the fouling of RO membranes. The active layer of the composite membrane possessing realtively neutral streaming charge and less roughness provided a RO membrane with slowly decreasing flux.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.289-296
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• 2005

In the MBR process, the membrane fouling occurs seriously on the membrane surface. In general, the membrane fouling is attributed to factors such as deposition or adhesion of sludge floc. The occurrence of fouling is a main cause of a decrease in membrane module fluk. At this study, our MBR membrane is manufactured by nano-particle with excellent anti-fouling character. The fine nano-material which can repel the sludge Hoc from the membrane surface is distributed in the membrane surface. We confirm anti-fouling effect, test continuously in the pilot site.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.82-87
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• 2013

Effects of material surface property, hydrophobic or hydrophilic, on the bio-fouling occurred on the bodies submerged in the sea water are investigated experimentally. 4 test models are used in the experiment, which includes aluminum foil in common use, AAO applied hydrophobic surface, HDFS coated hydrophobic surface and hydrophilic surface. Hydrophobic surfaces with numerous micro & nano-scale pillars on it seems to play very important role of preventing them from fouling in initial stage while the effects disappear in long term sense of fouling process. It is concluded that the surface hydrophobicity retards the initial fouling until the fouling thickness is smaller than the heights of the pillars on it but the effects diminish with the fouling proceeds so that the thickness grows bigger than the pillar heights.

• 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.

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.775-780
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• 2005

This study was performed to investigate the effect of foulant characteristics on Membrane fouling index such as Silt Density Index (SDI) and Modified Fouling Index (MFI). A linear relationship was found relating the fouling index (both SDI and MFI) on particle concentration, but fouling index values were nonlinearly (exponentially) with increasing organic concentration. When organic matter was the primary cause of fouling, the MFI was not accurately predicted due to internal fouling such as pore adsorption. The fouling index was determined mainly by particle characteristics when both particle and organic coexisted in the feed water. This observation was attributed to lessening of organic pore adsorption by particle cake layer formed on the membrane surface. Bench-scale actual fouling experiments demonstrated that permeate flux declines much faster with feed water containing particles than organic matters although fouling potential predicted by SDI values were identical, indicating that the accurate prediction of fouling potential requires the development of fouling index reflecting different foulant characteristics.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.17 no.11
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• pp.1235-1241
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• 2008

Membrane separation is extensively used for water/wastewater treatment because of its efficiency separation processes. However, particles in the feed water can deposit and accumulate on the membrane surface to created cake layer. As a consequence, the selectivity of the membrane and flux through the membrane are decreased, which is called fouling/blocking phenomenon. In order to solve fouling problem, we developed a novel membrane named Carbon Whisker Membrane (CWM) which contains vapor-grown carbon fibers/whiskers on the surface of the membrane and a layer of carbon film coated on the ceramic substrate. We firstly employed polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) as a testing material to investigate the fouling mechanism. The results suggested that Carbon Whiskers on the surface of the membrane can prevent the directly contact between the membrane body and particles so that the fouling/blocking could not occurred easily compared to the membrane without carbon whiskers. We also researched the relationship with the diameter, density of carbon whisker on the membrane surface and total flux of solutions. Finally, we will be able to control the diameter and density of carbon whiskers on the membrane and existence of carbon whiskers on the membrane, it is important factor, might be prevent fouling/blocking in the water treatment.

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.36-41
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• 1999

High quality drinking water can be produced by membrane separation process. A major problem in the current system is a membrane fouling control. In order to investigate membrane fouling due to E.coll removal, lab scale experiment using MF and UF and semi pilot plant experiment using UV radiation or not was performed. AS a result, the possibility of membrane fouling control by repressing of micro-organism on the membrane surface was clearly verified. But it was not clearly verified in this experiment the combined effect with other factors such as Turbidity, organic and inorganic matters.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.395-409
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• 2017

Membrane bioreactor (MBR) is a compact and efficient wastewater treatment and reclamation technology; but, it is limited by membrane fouling. The control of membrane fouling significantly increases operational and maintenance costs. Bacteria and their byproducts - extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) - are major contributors to membrane fouling in MBRs. A recent attempt at fouling mitigation is the development of aerobic granular sludge membrane bioreactor (AGMBR) through the integration of a novel biotechnology - aerobic granulation - and MBR. This paper provides an overview on the development of AGMBR to mitigate membrane fouling caused by bacteria and EPS. In AGMBR, EPS are used up in granule formation; and, the rigid structure of granules provides a surface for bacteria to attach to rather than the membrane surface. Preliminary research on AGMBR using synthetic wastewater show remarkable membrane fouling reduction compared to conventional MBR, thus improved membrane filtration. Enhanced performance in AGMBR using actual municipal wastewater at pilot-scale has also been reported. Therefore, further research is needed to determine AGMBR optimal operational conditions to enhance granule stability in long-term operations and in full-scale applications.