Abstract
The interaction forces between effluent organic matter (EfOM) fractions and membrane were measured by atomic force microscopy in conjunction with self-made membrane material colloidal probes. The inter-EfOM-fraction and intra-EfOM-fraction interactions were investigated using corresponding EfOM-fraction-coated colloidal probe. We combined this analysis with corresponding fouling experiments to identify the EfOM fractions responsible for polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) ultrafiltration membrane fouling. Results show that hydrophilic and hydrophobic fractions were the dominant fractions responsible for membrane fouling and flux decline in the initial and later filtration stages, respectively, which was mainly attributed to the stronger PVDF-hydrophilic fraction and intra-hydrophobic-fraction interaction forces. This phenomenon, in conjunction with the fact that each interaction force of PVDF–EfOM fraction was stronger than corresponding intra-EfOM-fraction force, suggests that the elimination of the PVDF-hydrophilic fraction interaction force is the best strategy for controlling EfOM fouling. Moreover, the inter-EfOM-fraction interaction force was mainly controlled by the corresponding intra-EfOM-fraction interaction forces. And, while the membrane–EfOM fraction and intra-EfOM-fraction interactions for each type of EfOM fraction are equivalent, the EfOM fractions with the molecular weight smaller than the molecular weight cutoff of the membranes used were mainly responsible for membrane fouling rather than the relatively high-molecular-weight fractions.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
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.