title: Role of transparent exopolymer particles on membrane fouling in a full-scale ultrafiltration plant: feed parameter analysis and membrane autopsy.
abstract: Ultrafiltration (UF) is widely used for water purification, but membrane fouling remains an important issue. In this study, the role of transparent exopolymer particles (TEPs), recently put forward as possible major foulants, was investigated in the fouling process of a full-scale UF installation. Algae, TEPs and other parameters in the UF feed were monitored and correlated during an 8 months long full-scale operation. Results revealed a complex fouling mechanism involving interactions mainly between algae, Fe (flocculant) and TEPs. Algae related parameters rather that TEP concentrations correlated stronger with irreversible fouling rates, suggesting that the overall role of TEPs in membrane fouling seems limited for this application. Finally, membrane autopsy showed the formation of a thick Fe-rich fouling layer on top of the fouled membranes, which could mostly be removed via cleaning-in-place. It remained partly irremovable in the form of some Fe-organic complexes.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Surface Chemistry and Catalysis, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 23, Box 2461, 3001 Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Discart
authors.affiliation: Centre for Surface Chemistry and Catalysis, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 23, Box 2461, 3001 Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Bilad
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Microbial Ecology and Technology (LabMET), Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, B-9000 Gent, Belgium.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Van Nevel
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Microbial Ecology and Technology (LabMET), Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, B-9000 Gent, Belgium.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Boon
authors.affiliation: Department of Water Technology, De Watergroep, Vooruitgangstraat 189, 1030 Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cromphout
authors.affiliation: Centre for Surface Chemistry and Catalysis, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 23, Box 2461, 3001 Leuven, Belgium. Electronic address: ivo.vankelecom@biw.kuleuven.be.
authors.forename: I F J
authors.initials: IFJ
authors.lastname: Vankelecom
mesh_terms: D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D058085:Iron Compounds / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D058086:Microalgae / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012031:Refractometry; D014462:Ultrafiltration / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D018508:Water Purification / Q000295:instrumentation*
chemical_list: D058085:Iron Compounds; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Membrane fouling; Polyethersulfone membranes; TEP; Ultrafiltration; Water purification