title: [A novel approach of using fouling index to evaluate NOM fouling behavior during low pressure ultrafiltration process].
abstract: In this study, fouling index (FI) was introduced as a novel approach to investigate NOM fouling behavior during low pressure membrane ultrafiltration process. Three kinds of typical NOMs, humic acid (HA), bovine serum albumin (BSA) and sodium alginate (NaAlg), were used in the experiments. The results indicated that the fouling caused by NOM can be considered as two steps with different FI values. One is the fast fouling phase, and the other is the slow phase. Apparently, the total fouling index of the fast phase (TFI(F)) was much greater than that of the slow phase (TFI(S)), which means the initial interaction between NOM and membrane would play a significant role in the whole fouling process. A higher TFI(F) could lead to a faster fouling and the flux would decline more rapidly. After hydraulic washing, the flux was recovered and the resistance was reduced, indicating that physical cleaning could remove a part of foulants. Additionally, the results also represented that the sequences of NOM causing irreversible fouling and chemical clean irreversible fouling were BSA > HA > NaAlg and NaAlg > BSA > HA, respectively. Humic acid and protein tended to cause irreversible fouling and were easily removed by alkaline cleaning, while irreversible fouling caused by polysaccharide was difficult to remove by alkaline. The main cause of membrane fouling may be the interaction between foulants and membrane, which needs further research. Generally speaking, FI with a simple expression would play a significant role to describe the membrane fouling.
authors: Research Centre for Drinking Water, Research Centre for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China. suzy19831020@yahoo.com.cn
authors: Ping
authors: P
authors: Xiao
authors: Feng
authors: F
authors: Xiao
authors: Jing-Hui
authors: JH
authors: Zhao
authors: Tong
authors: T
authors: Qin
authors: Dong-Sheng
authors: DS
authors: Wang
authors: Jin-Rong
authors: JR
authors: Feng
authors: Guang
authors: G
authors: Xu
mesh_terms: D057219:Biofouling / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D006812:Humic Substances / Q000032:analysis; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000737:chemistry*; D010316:Particle Size; D011312:Pressure; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine / Q000737:chemistry; D014462:Ultrafiltration / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D006812:Humic Substances; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine