title: Thermodynamic analysis of membrane fouling in a submerged membrane bioreactor and its implications.
abstract: The thermodynamic interactions between membrane and sludge flocs in a submerged membrane bioreactor (MBR) were investigated. It was found that Lewis acid-base (AB) interaction predominated in the total interactions. The interaction energy composition of membrane-sludge flocs combination was quite similar to that of membrane-bovine serum albumin (BSA) combination, indicating the critical role of proteins in adhesion process. Detailed analysis revealed the existence of a repulsive energy barrier in membrane-foulants interaction. Calculation results demonstrated that small flocs possessed higher attractive interaction energy per unit mass, and therefore adhered to membrane surface more easily as compared to large flocs. Meanwhile, initial sludge adhesion would facilitate the following adhesion due to the reduced repulsive energy barrier. Membrane with high electron donor surface tension component was a favor option for membrane fouling abatement. These findings offered new insights into membrane fouling, and also provided significant implications for fouling control in MBRs.
authors.affiliation: College of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, PR China.
authors.forename: Huachang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.affiliation: College of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, PR China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.affiliation: College of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, PR China.
authors.forename: Meijia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: College of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, PR China.
authors.forename: Jianrong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Physics, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, PR China.
authors.forename: Yiming
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: He
authors.affiliation: College of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, PR China.
authors.forename: Fangyuan
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: College of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, PR China.
authors.forename: Xuexiang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Weng
authors.affiliation: College of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, PR China.
authors.forename: Haiying
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: College of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, PR China. Electronic address: hjlin@zjnu.cn.
authors.forename: Hongjun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000268:Adhesiveness; D000818:Animals; D019149:Bioreactors; D002417:Cattle; D004867:Equipment Design; D005374:Filtration; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D010316:Particle Size; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine / Q000737:chemistry*; D012722:Sewage / Q000737:chemistry*; D055672:Static Electricity; D013500:Surface Tension; D013816:Thermodynamics; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011108:Polymers; D011506:Proteins; D012722:Sewage; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine
keywords: Energy barrier; Membrane bioreactor; Membrane fouling; Short-range interactions; XDLVO theory