Water Treatment "Part 25": How Can Membrane Fouling Be Prevented?

Methods for reducing the phenomena of membrane pore clogging:

By eliminating those elements that contribute to pore clogging before membrane filtration or by preventing it while it is occurring in the filtration medium, this problem can be avoided. The second technique involves modifying the operational circumstances. In a moment of primary treatment, it might occur in one of the following areas:

• Removing the iron helps prevent its precipitation on the membrane surface when it is oxidised inside the aqueous medium.
• Putting natural organic molecules through a process of agglomeration because agglomerations don't block pores as much as colloids do.
• Incorporate an anti-calc agent to stop salts from building up on the membrane's surface.
• Shifting the pH value to make salts' solubility balance go in the opposite way of how it precipitates.
• Prefiltration on a sand filter, and in rare circumstances, a membrane prefilter.

Membrane Fouling

The strategy for mitigating the phenomenon of blockage is based on reducing the filtration speed, working with less pressure, or controlling the flow inside the filter so that the phenomenon of sediment accumulation on the surface of the membrane is reduced, and thus the rate of pore blockage is reduced. And when it comes to lessening the biocenosis phenomena on the membrane's surface, sterilisation might be used sometimes.

Washing technique:

The washing procedure seeks to extend the life of the membrane by removing materials that have been accumulated on it or inside its pores. When the treated water's flow velocity hits its lowest limit value, the pressure reaches its maximum limit, or the filtration system's allowed filtration duration is achieved, the washing process begins.

References:

• [Introduction to Water Chemistry (Pollution- Treatment- Analysis). Dr. Nasser Al-Hayek. Publication of the Higher Institute for Applied Sciences and Technology (HIAST). Syrian Arab Republic, 2017.]
• Taparhudee, Wara (2002). "Applications of Paddle Wheel Aerators and Diffused-Air System in Closed Cycle Shrimp Farm System" (PDF). Witthayasan Kasetsart (Sakha Witthayasat). 36: 408–419. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
• Unsafe water kills more people than war, Ban says on World Day". UN News. 22 March 2010. Retrieved 10 May 2018
• Raymond Desjardins- Livre: Le traitement des eaux- 2éme edition- Ecole Polytechnique de Montréal- 1997- ISBN 2-553-00643-8
• Drinking Water Treatment- EDX- Delft University of Technology.
• Book- Drinking Water: Principles and Practices- by Hans J C Van Dijk (Author), Jasper Q J C Verberk (Author), Peter J De Moel.