Abstract
The microfiltration (MF) of high solids content gum Arabic solutions (15wt%) inoculated with Bacillus mycoides spores (105CFUml−1) was carried out using Membralox tubular ceramic membranes with a nominal pore size of 0.8μm. Consistent permeate fluxes were achievable over multiple fouling and cleaning cycles, while giving low rejection of solids and high rejection of spores (after ten cycles, a permeate flux of 42.9Lm−2h−1, a solids retention of 19.8%, and a spore rejection of 5.0 log orders were achieved). Although fouling during filtration was severe, permeate fluxes could be restored to a satisfactory condition after cleaning with 0.5wt% NaOH solution containing 200ppm NaOCl. Results were described by a two species first order removal model, whereby one species was removed quickly by cleaning and the other was more difficult to remove. The optimum cleaning time for NaOH+NaOCl solutions at 60°C was found to be ca. 20min. Subsequent citric acid cleans had a negative effect upon restoring permeate flux.
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