EXTRACELLULAR POLYMERIC SUBSTANCES AND MEMBRANE FOULING: MICROTOPOGRAPHICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF FOULING PHENOMANA BY ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPY

摘要

Soluble microbial products (SMP) or extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) are large molecular weight compounds that are excreted by bacteria. Extracellular polymeric substances exhibit bioadhasive characteristics, therefore, alter the surface properties. The purpose of this study was to investigate the fouling potential of the EPS present in an aerobic bioreactor effluent, and evaluate the morphological changes on the membrane surface during intermittent filtration conditions. A series of cross flow filtration tests were conducted in intermittent mode using an RO membrane (BW30LE by Filmtech) and SEPA CFII membrane test cell. Progression of the microtopographical changes on the membrane surface was assessed by analysis of the images captured by AFM.