Abstract

In the present study, effect of external and internal concentration polarization (ECP and ICP), and reversible fouling on water flux behavior was evaluated for an activated sludge concentration process. A solution of activated sludge from the biological treatment unit of a wastewater treatment plant was used as a feed solution (FS), with an initial total suspended solids (TSS) concentration of 6198 mg/L. Residual brine from a stuffed olive factory was used as a draw solution (DS) because of its osmotic potential (equivalent to 1.2 M NaCl). This resulted in an increase in the initial FS concentration to around 16,850 mg/L. The experimental tests were carried out in a pilot plant with a flat FO membrane cell of 34 cm2, and FS and DS flow rates of 2 L min−1 and 0.5 L min−1, respectively, at 20 ±0.3 °C. An active layer facing the FS orientation was selected because of the high TSS concentration of the feed. Permeate flux showed initial values around 13.5 ± 0.5 L m−2/h for the first two hours of operation, but this gradually decreased to 5.3 ± 0.5 L m−2/h after 24 h. By modeling permeate flux performance, the role that the feed and draw concentrations, membrane orientation, and membrane properties play in water flux were elucidated and linked to the prevalence of external and internal concentration polarization. Internal concentration polarization and fouling on the active layer were found to play a significant role in the reduction in the driving force for the chosen system conditions.

Full Text
Paper version not known

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

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.