Implications of membrane fouling and scaling toward the removal of trace organic contaminants by nanofiltration membranes in water reuse

摘要

The influence of membrane fouling and scaling on the rejection trace organic contaminants by nanofiltration membranes was investigated in this study. Humic acid, alginate, bovine serum albumin, and silica colloids were selected as model foulants to simulate various organic fractions and colloidal matter that are found in secondary treated effluent and surface water. Membrane scaling was also induced by an over saturated feed solution containing calcium carbonate. The effects of membrane fouling on the separation process was delineated by comparing rejection values of clean and fouled membranes and relate them to the membrane properties (under both clean and fouled conditions) as well as physicochemical characteristics of the trace organic contaminants.