Abstract
With efficient membrane cleaning remaining a challenge, novel approaches have promising potential to enhance cleaning efficiency. This study examined the concept of feed side cyclical and permanent flow reversal during membrane cleaning, to which so far it has not been applied to. Experiments were conducted in a hollow fibre microfiltration membrane with lengths of 0.5 m and 1.0 m using skim milk for deposit formation, NaOH as a cleaning agent, and flux recovery ratio and protein removal for cleaning evaluation. Overall, flow reversal was found to significantly increase cleaning success. Due to the length-dependent pressure drop and flow reversal, the local transmembrane pressure at the initial feed inlet ΔpTM, inlet and thus the ratio of flow velocity to ΔpTM, inlet was increased compared to steady forward flow cleaning. This proved beneficial as it combines high shear stress with low ΔpTM, inlet where fouling was most pronounced after filtration.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
