Colloidal and bacterial fouling during constant flux microfiltration: Comparison of classical blocking laws with a unified model combining pore blocking and EPS secretion

摘要: Abstract The instantaneous transmembrane pressure needs to be continuously increased compensate for foulant accumulation during constant flux microfiltration. Herein, we compare predictions of a unified mathematical model and conventional blocking laws with laboratory data obtained operation. Foulants employed included single species cultures bacteria coagulated natural colloids, both which are known form compressible cakes. first principles unifies fouling arising from pore by individual cells, cake formation, as well bacterial secretion exopolymers. It also incorporates non-uniform spatial deposition patterns that have been observed unstirred dead-end filtration. Mechanistically, these heterogeneities arise either membrane surface porosity or stochastic initial binding foulants. Previous studies shown the patchy uneven deposit morphology is magnified over longer time-scales filtration differential extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) through quorum sensing. However, in this study, primarily interested averaged behavior (mainly pressure). By spatially averaging microscale variables able classical law models. We show accurately under our experimental conditions. provides mechanistic insights into (bio)colloid associated microfiltration particularly since it excellent predictive agreement using parameters taken exclusively recent study