Membrane Fouling: Influence of Natural Organic Matter Properties and Membrane Surface Treatment on Nanofiltration Performance

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; Troy NY.
September 2002

Report #83 - Abstract -

New membrane technology has improved water flux and salt rejection and lowered operating pressures. However, membrane fouling can significantly reduce membrane performance, increase operating costs, and shorten membrane life.

This research calculated how natural organic matter properties influence membrane fouling. Natural aquatic organic matter was isolated from surface water sources to simulate fouling that might occur during potable water treatment. As natural organic matter from different feed water has different properties, the study used three water sources. Experimental results revealed that membrane fouling depended on the membrane characteristics, the polarity of the natural organic matter, molecular weight, and feed solution chemistry,