EPS biofouling in membrane filtration: an analytic modeling study.
Biofouling is theoretically investigated by modeling solute transport within a biofilm, defined in this study as a swarm of solid biocolloids surrounded by liquid-like exopolymeric substances (EPS). A mathematical approach is employed to map the biofilm to an equivalent, simple spherical cell using a self-consistent method. It is found that the physical presence of EPS and their reaction with solute ions reduce the mass transfer coefficient, which significantly contributes to permeate flux decline in reverse osmosis and nanofiltration membrane processes.
Kim
Albert S
AS
Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2540 Dole Street, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA. AlbertSK@hawaii.edu
Chen
Huaiqun
H
Yuan
Rong
R
D018441:Biofilms; D003102:Colloids; D004853:Epoxy Resins; D008956:Models, Chemical
D003102:Colloids; D004853:Epoxy Resins