title: The influence of aggregation of latex particles on membrane fouling attachments & ultrafiltration performance in ultrafiltration of latex contaminated water and wastewater.
abstract: The goal of the present study was to investigate the influence of latex particle aggregation on membrane fouling attachments and the ultrafiltration performance of simulated latex effluent using Cetyltrimethyl Ammonium Bromide (CTAB) as a cationic surfactant. Hydrophilic polysulfone and ultrafilic flat heterogeneous membranes, with molecular weight cut off (MWCO) of 60,000 and 100,000, respectively, as well as hydrophobic polyvinylidene difluoride with MWCO of 100,000, were used under a constant flow rate and cross-flow mode in ultrafiltration of latex solution. In addition, a polycarbonate flat membrane with uniform pore size of 0.05μm was likewise used during the experiment. The effects of CTAB on the latex particle size distribution were investigated at various concentrations, different treatment times, and diverse agitation duration times. The effects of CTAB on the zeta potential of membrane surfaces and latex particles were also investigated. The data obtained indicate that the particle size distribution of treated latex effluent experienced significant shifts in the peaks toward a larger size range caused by the aggregation of particles. As a result, the mass of fouling contributing to pore blocking and the irreversible fouling were noticeably reduced. The optimum results occurred in the instance when CTAB was added at the critical micelle concentration of 0.36g/L, for the duration of 10min and with minimal agitation. Notably, a higher stirring rate had an overall negative effect on the membrane fouling minimization.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, Ontario M5B 2K3, Canada. Electronic address: amira.abdelrasoul@ryerson.ca.
authors.forename: Amira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abdelrasoul
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, Ontario M5B 2K3, Canada.
authors.forename: Huu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Doan
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, Ontario M5B 2K3, Canada.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lohi
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, Ontario M5B 2K3, Canada.
authors.forename: Chil-Hung
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Cheng
mesh_terms: D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D007840:Latex / Q000032:analysis*; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008863:Microspheres; D014462:Ultrafiltration / Q000379:methods*; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid / Q000379:methods*; D062065:Wastewater / Q000737:chemistry*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D007840:Latex; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D062065:Wastewater; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Aggregation; Attraction forces; Cationic surfactant; Particle size; Pore blocking