Pore blocking and permeability reduction in cross-flow microfiltration

摘要: Particle capture at membrane surfaces in cross-flow microfiltration is studied both experimentally and computationally to better understand permeability reduction as function of pore sizes particle concentrations. Microfiltration experiments for various bentonite suspension concentrations are conducted commercial polysulphone membranes nominal 2 0.2 μm. Permeability continuously evaluated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image analysis used determine size distributions. For simulation purposes, the space represented by a bundle nonintersecting tubes. Pore segments model have circular cross-sections, random locations distributed according distributions determined experimentally. Monte Carlo simulations well-characterized on well-defined presented calculated. exclusion considered dominant mechanisms fouling. In matching criterion between define blocking. Simulation results accord with those obtained decreases more rapidly higher all concentrations, thinner intense. Membrane scales linearly porosity cases membranes. This result discussed light simple theoretical arguments.