Experimental Study of the Separation of Oil in Water Emulsions by Tangential Flow Microfiltration Process. Part 2: The Use of Ultrasound for In-Situ Controlling of the Membrane Fouling

Abstract

Membrane has a major drawback in the form of fouling. For controlling the membrane fouling, a novel attempt of having in-situ cleaning using ultrasound cavitations allowing remediation of a polluted surface during filtration was investigated. Results of the experiments indicate significant recovery of filter permeability by the assistance of ultrasound. At a feed of 500 ppm (0.05%) oil concentration, 15.07% recovery in permeability were recorded with the mean filtration capacity to improve from 2749.6 L m−2 h−1 to 2389.4 L m−2 h−1. Significant decline in resistance of 18.93% indicates reduced fouling and the energy consumption required for maintaining the filtration flux, which may be used to supply the energy required for ultrasound cleaning. Encouraging results shows it is indeed possible to conduct in-situ cleaning while the filtration is still in operation and reduce cost for membrane replacement.