Ultrafiltration of humic acid solutions through unmodified and surface functionalized low-fouling polyethersulfone membranes - Effects of feed properties, molecular weight cut-off and membrane chemistry on fouling behavior and cleanability

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Polina Dobromirova Peeva, Aisyah Endah Palupi, Mathias Ulbricht

2011 Separation and Purification Technology Vol. 81 Issue 2 Article Cited by 84 SDG 17SDG 14SDG 12 Quartile

Abstract

In the present work, polyethersulfone (PES) ultrafiltration (UF) membranes with molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) from 5 to 300 kDa were analyzed with respect to fouling during filtration of humic acid (HA) model solution. The impact of MWCO and prefiltration of the feed solution on the fouling behavior of these membranes is presented. Moreover, an UV-initiated graft copolymerization of poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (PEGMA) onto PES membranes was performed and the effect of the applied modification was examined in terms of MWCO and water permeability changes as well as performance during filtration of HA. Moreover, the fouling behavior and principles during the filtration were compared. Membranes with higher MWCO exhibited stronger flux decline during UF but better cleanability. Prefiltration through 0.45 μm filter improved the membrane performance during filtration of HA but the efficiency of physical cleaning was deteriorated. The applied modification improved the membrane performance during ultrafiltration and facilitated the physical cleaning. This work contributes to a better understanding of the relationships between membrane MWCO, solute size and size distribution, membrane surface chemistry and membrane fouling. © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Affiliations

Lehrstuhl für Technische Chemie II, Universität Duisburg-Essen, 45117 Essen, Germany; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universitas Negeri Surabaya, Surabaya, Indonesia

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