Influence of ultrafiltration membrane characteristics on adsorptive fouling with dextrans

Susanto, H. and Ulbricht, M. (2005) Influence of ultrafiltration membrane characteristics on adsorptive fouling with dextrans. Journal of Membrane Science, 266 . pp. 132-142. ISSN 0376-7388

[img]
Preview
PDF - Published Version
74Kb

Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2005.05.018

Abstract

This paper presents a detailed investigation of fouling mechanisms for ultrafiltration membranes with polysaccharides obtained by studying membrane–solute (static adsorption) and membrane–solute–solute interactions (ultrafiltration (UF)). Two polyethersulfone (PES) membranes and one stabilized cellulose (cellulosic) membrane with a nominal cut-off of 10 kg/mol and dextrans with average molar mass (M) of 4, 10 and 15 kg/mol were used. The membranes before and after static adsorption of dextran were characterized by captive bubble contact angle and tangential streaming potential measurements as well as ultrafiltration sieving curves for polyethylene glycols. Significant water flux reductions (4–15%), which also correlated with dextran molar mass, and changes of the other membrane characteristics occurred after static dextran adsorption for the PES membranes. An empirical model to describe the correlation between the relative water flux reduction and the concentration of solute had also been proposed. In contrast, no significant changes could be detected for the cellulosic membrane. Significant membrane–solute interactions had also been confirmed in the ultrafiltration experiments with dextrans where irreversible fouling had been observed for the PES but not for the cellulosic membranes. The results provide fundamental information for a better understanding of fouling by polysaccharides. In particular, it had been confirmed that hydrophilic and neutral dextrans can significantly foul PES membranes via adsorption to the surface of the membrane polymer. On this basis, methods for control of this fouling can be properly developed.

Item Type:Article
Subjects:Q Science > Q Science (General)
T Technology > TP Chemical technology
Divisions:Faculty of Engineering > Department of Chemical Engineering
Faculty of Engineering > Department of Chemical Engineering
ID Code:162
Deposited By:INVALID USER
Deposited On:09 May 2009 10:16
Last Modified:09 May 2009 10:16

Repository Staff Only: item control page