Ultrafiltration fouling of amylose solution: Behavior, characterization and mechanism

Abstract

Applications of ultrafiltration membrane often deal with feed streams containing amylose starch. This paper describes a detailed investigation of amylose fouling during ultrafiltration. Commercial membranes made of polysulfone and fluoro polymer were used. Both adsorptive and ultrafiltration fouling were investigated. Experiments using different membrane characteristics, feed concentrations and trans-membrane pressures were carried out. The resulting fouling was characterized by water flux and contact angle measure ments and was visualized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results suggest that solute adsorption has occurred as noticed by significant water flux reductions as well as changes in membrane charateristics. Further, both reversible and irreversible fouling have occurred during ultrafiltration with irreversible fouling was more dominant. Apparently, cake layer formation initiated by either adsorption due to hydrophobic–hydrophobic interactions or pore blocking is the dominant fouling mechanism. However, pore narrowing instead of pore blocking was also observed for the membrane having large and relative uniform pore structure or for the ultrafiltration using low trans-membrane pressure or low solute concentration. Membrane autopsy using SEM confirmed the formation of solute layer on the membrane surface.