• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.77-94
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• 2015

Ultrafiltration membranes have several advantages over conventional drinking-water treatment. However, this technology presents major limitations, such as irreversible fouling and low removal of natural organic matter. Fouling depends heavily on the raw-water quality as well as on the operating conditions of the process, including flux, permeate recovery, pre-treatment, chemical cleaning, and backwashing. Starting with the premise that the optimisation of operating variables can improve membrane performance, different experiments were conducted in a pilot plant located in Granada (Spain). Several combinations of permeate and backwashing flow rates, backwashing frequencies, and aeration flow rates were tested for low-quality water coming from Genil River with the following results: the effluent quality did not depend on the combination of operating conditions chosen; and the membrane was effective for the removal of microorganisms, turbidity and suspended solids but the yields for the removal of dissolved organic carbon were extremely low. In addition, the threshold transmembrane pressure (-0.7 bar) was reached within a few hours and it was difficult to recover due to the low efficiency of the chemical cleanings. Moreover, greater transmembrane pressure due to fouling also increased the energy consumption, and it was not possible to lower it without compromising the permeate recovery. Finally, the intensification of aeration contributed positively to lengthening the operation times but again raised energy consumption. In light of these findings, the feasibility of ultrafiltration as a single treatment is questioned for low-quality influents.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.181-190
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• 2022

Membrane separation provides various advantages including cost effectiveness and high efficiency over traditional wastewater treatment methods such as flocculation and adsorption. However, the effectiveness of membrane separation greatly declines due to membrane fouling, where pollutants are accumulated on the membrane surface. Among different groups of membranes, ceramic membranes can provide good antifouling properties due to its hydrophilicity and chemical stability. In addition, composite membranes such as graphene oxide modified membranes can help prevent membrane fouling. Recently, hybrid photocatalytic membranes have been proposed as a solution to prevent membrane fouling and provide synergetic effects. Membrane separation can solve the disadvantages of photocatalytic oxidation such as low reutilization rate, while photocatalytic oxidation can help reduce membrane fouling.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Automotive Engineers
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.135-140
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• 2010

An important goal in diesel engine research is the development of a means to reduce the emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOX). The use of a cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system is one of the most effective techniques currently available for reducing nitrogen oxides. Since Particular Matter (PM) fouling reduces the efficiency of an EGR cooler, a trade-off exists between the amount of NOX and PM emissions, especially at high engine loads. In the present study, engine dynamometer experiments have been performed to investigate the heat exchange characteristics of the stack-type EGR coolers with wave fin pitches of 3.6 and 4.6 mm. The results show that the heat exchange effectiveness is decreased as surface area decrease with pitch of 4.6 mm due to PM fouling. As surface area increase at pitch of 3.6 mm, super-cooling happens in the recirculated exhaust gas.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.31-36
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• 2008

This work was performed to evaluate the effect of membrane material and structure on fouling in a submerged membrane bioreactor(MBR). Three types of microfiltration membranes with the same pore size of 0.1 $\mu$m but different materials, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polycarbonate(PCTE) and polyester(PETE), were used. While PETE membrane exhibited the most rapid flux decline throughout the operation, PCTE and PTFE had a similar tendency with regard to permeability. Difference in permeability between PETE and the other membranes gradually decreased with time, which was probably due to chemical cleaning. The higher TOC rejection of PETE membrane could be attributable to its faster fouling, resulting from a larger amount of foulants to get attached to the membrane in a shorter time. DOC fractionation using a DAX-8 resin showed that the composition of each fraction between the supernatant and permeates did not change significantly with operation time, indicating that membrane hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity was not a dominant factor affecting to MBR fouling in this study. Compared to other membranes, the fouling of PETE membrane was more influenced by pore clogging (irreversible fouling), which would probably contribute to a higher organic rejection of the PETE membrane.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.241-248
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• 1986

New Paint, Stapol N-6200D, products from Song Woun Industrial Co. Ltd., was tested on its chemical effect on fouling organisms attached to fishing nets. Two kinds of fishing nets with different mesh size, 5 mm (cage culture net) and 33 mm (set net) were painted and attached to $1m^2$ PVC quadrates. The quadrates with painted or non-painted fishing nets were placed at the surface water layer of southern coast of Korea. Monthly species composition and abundance of fouling organisms were analysed as well as total weight of fouling organisms including mud on fishing nets. On the other hand, anti-fouling effect of the organisms and mud on different color paints was studied and the durability of chemical effect of painted fishing net on fouling organisms was also estimated.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2012.08a
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• pp.236-236
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• 2012

In this study, we present the salt repellent behavior of superhydrophobic filtration membrane. Bio-fouling or mineral-fouling is the main factor of decreasing the performance of filtration membrane. The superhydrophobic modification of filtration membrane using PECVD (Plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition) is introduced. The oxygen plasma was introduced for developing nano hairy structures and subsequent HMDSO (Hexamethyldisiloxane) coating was used for enhancing low surface energy. Saline water evaporation test was carried out to evaluate the difference of contamination of salt on superhydrophobic and moderately hydrophobic filtration membrane. EDS and EPMA were used for visualizing the residue of salt crystal.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.393-403
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• 2018

In this research commercial polyethersulfone (PES) membrane was modified using $TiO_2$ nanoparticles (P-25 Degussa) and further irradiated using UV light to overcome the hydrophobicity and fouling nature of the membrane. Further the membranes were characterized using SEM and FTIR. Contact angle measurements study confirmed the hydrophilic tendency of the modified membrane by decreasing the contact angle from $73^{\circ}$ to $20.28^{\circ}$. The modified membranes showed higher flux and better anti-fouling properties as compared to the unmodified counterparts. The optimum conditions were found to be 0.5 wt% $TiO_2$ loading with 60 min membrane immersion and 10 min UV light illumination. The effect of different pH conditions of feed was analysed. Real wastewater filtration experiments also indicated better performance of modified membranes as opposed to neat PES membranes.

• Journal of Ocean Engineering and Technology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.172-179
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• 2023

Biofouling initiated by biofilm (slime) formation is a key challenge for practical ocean engineering and construction. This study evaluated a new anti-biofilm technology using bioelectricity. The anti-microfouling electrical technology is based on the principles of the bioelectric effect, known as the application of an electrostatic force for biofilm removal. Previously, the electricity was optimized below 0.82V to avoid electrolysis, which can prevent the production of biocides. A test boat comprised of microelectronics for electrical signal generation with electrodes for an anti-biofouling effect was developed. The tests were conducted in the West Sea of Korea (Wangsan Marina, Incheon) for three weeks. The surface biofouling was quantified. A significant reduction of fouling was observed under the bioelectric effect conditions, with approximately 30% enhanced prevention of fouling progress (P<0.05). This technology can be an alternative eco-friendly technique for anti-microfouling that can be applied for canals, vessels, and coastal infrastructure because it does not induce electrolysis.

• Korean Membrane Journal
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.56-59
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• 2000

The surface charge properties of a polymeric NF and a ceramic UF membranes were characterized in terms of zeta potential and acidity. Both the negative zeta potential and acidity values increased as pH increases due to ionizable acidic functional groups. Increased ionic strength reduced the acidity of the negatively-charged membrane surface as anticipated. Through these results, it can be envisioned are used to reject solutes with ionizable functional groups. Fouling of the negatively-charged membrane with natural organic matter (NOM) having a negative charge density was also investigated with respect to the surface charge. The surface charge of the NF membrane increased negatively when greater NOM adsorption onto the membrane surface occured.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.152-158
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• 2015

This paper investigated the membrane fouling potential at the state of passive adsorption which is no permeation with the test modules on COD (Chemical oxygen demand) loading rates, examined the recovery rate and resistance on membrane fouling by three cleaning manners of hydrophobic membrane in a bioreactor. The results showed that high COD loading led to the increase of extra-cellular polymeric substances and filtration resistance. The permeability resistance from 1st day to 63rd day was getting increased, however, the value of permeability resistance after 63th day during the operation period was almost same level at three COD loading rates, it was due that the biomass adhesion on membrane surface at the state of passive adsorption reached to the critical state. Also, the final recovery rates after three cleaning manners were 78%, 72% and 69% at the COD loading concentrations of 250 mg/L, 500 mg/L and 750 mg/L respectively, and then recovery rate by physical cleaning at Run 2 and Run 3 was decreased after 40th day, it proved that biomass cake, which is not easily removed, was formed on the membrane surface because of high COD loading rate and EPS concentration.