Imaging the effect of aeration on particle fouling mitigation in a submerged membrane filtration using a photointerrupt sensor array

Abstract

ABSTRACTA non-destructive in-situ optical method using a photointerrupt sensor array was adopted to determine the variation of cake layer thickness in a membrane filtration process with aeration. The effect of air sparging on fouling mitigation was evaluated at different aeration conditions. Results from three-dimensional fouling contour studies showed that the average cake layer thickness increased proportionally with time during the initial period due to quick deposition of particles on the membrane surface and then growth rate of cake layer slowed down. The semi-continuous aeration could also suppress the membrane fouling at the same level as observed at continuous aeration.