• Membrane Journal
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.216-222
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• 2015

The method measuring LEP (liquid entry pressure) was optimized to evaluate the wettabilities of hydrophobic membranes which might affect long-term durability of membrane in MD (membrane distillation) process. Conductivity of the permeate was monitored to measure the LEPs of PE (polyethylene) and PVDF (polyvinylidene di-fluoride) hollow fiber membranes from highly concentrated synthetic feed water of 20 wt% NaCl. Holding time over 5 min and the ratio of membrane area to the tank volume more than $10m^2/m^3$ were required to ensure LEP value.

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.327-334
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• 2016

The effects of dissolved inorganic and organic matter in seawater and the characteristics of fouling on the membrane surface were investigated within membrane distillation (MD) process. The changes of the membrane flux of PE and PVDF hollow fiber membranes under natural and synthetic seawater were compared with given variances of temperature. The flux of both membranes under the synthetic seawater, without any organic matter, were higher than that of the natural seawater, indicating the organic fouling on the membrane surface. The surface of the membrane was analyzed using scanning electron microscope (SEM) to examine the fouling. The experiment with organics has shown the formation of thin film over the membrane surface, while the experiment with inorganics has shown only the formation of inorganic crystals. The results indicated the organic matter as the major foulants and that the organics affected the formation of the crystals. Permeate water conductivity of all conditions verified the quality of the water to be better if not similar to that of RO.