Dead-end filtration of natural organic matter: experimental evidence of critical conditions

Development of membranes technologies led industrials and researchers to focus on the way to optimize filtration processes in terms of quality and costs of production. In this way, this paper presents a study about determination of low fouling operating conditions in dead-end ultrafiltration of natural organic matter which leads to the definition of sustainable conditions for filtration by limiting formation of irreversible layer. The reversibility of fouling is studied in respect to a break in the driving force and the effect of the duration of the break is underlined by comparing reversibility after an instantaneous rinsing and a 24 hours soaking. The existence of a critical filtered volume (below which the mass accumulation is reversible and above which a significant irreversible fouling exists) is experimentally demonstrated. Results show that it is possible to avoid the formation of irreversible fouling layer when operating parameters (the pair filtered volume and applied pressure) are suitably chosen.