Measurements and evaluation of concentration distributions in filter cake formed in dead-end ultrafiltration of protein solutions

To clarify the internal structures of the filter cake formed on the membrane surface in protein ultrafiltration, a method has been developed for measuring the variations of protein concentration across the filter cake on the basis of the principle of inclined ultrafiltration, where the membrane was inclined and a large amount of filter cake was formed, and the results were compared with the calculations based on a compressible cake filtration model, which explicitly took the non-homogeneity and the compressibility of the filter cake into account. The experimental results obtained from ultrafiltration of bovine serum albumin (BSA) solutions under constant pressure conditions clearly demonstrated that the filter cake tended to have a much more compact structure at the membrane in comparison with a relatively loose condition at the surface. It was also found that the thickness of the filter cake formed on the membrane increased as the filtration progressed. Further, the effects of pH and the solute concentration in the feed solution on the structure of the filter cake have been examined experimentally. The measured concentration distributions accorded well with the calculated results based on a compressible cake filtration model. This study revealed that the dynamic deposition behaviors of the protein molecules in dead-end ultrafiltration could be accurately described by a compressible cake filtration model.     

Periodic Ultrafiltration by Single-Pass Flow Using Hollow Fiber Membrane Module

Abstract

Periodic ultrafiltration of bovine serum albumin (BSA) solutions by single-pass flow was conducted using a hollow fiber membrane module. In this method the filter cake formed on the membrane surface during filtration was disrupted by periodically interrupting filtration. Thus, a much higher filtration rate, which led to an increased concentration ratio of protein solutions, was provided by periodic operation compared with what was produced by continuous operation. Influences of filtration times (θ_f) and sweeping times (θ_d) on the filtration performance were examined.     

Cake properties of nanocolloid evaluated by variable pressure filtration associated with reduction in cake surface area

A potential method has been developed for evaluating simultaneously both the average specific resistance and average porosity of the filter cake formed in unstirred dead‐end ultrafiltration of nanocolloids such as bovine serum albumin solution and silica sol. The method consists of variable pressure filtration followed by constant pressure filtration. The relation between the average specific cake resistance and the pressure drop across the cake was determined from the evolution of the filtration rate with time in the course of the variable pressure filtration period, based on the compressible cake filtration model. The average porosity was evaluated from the significant flux decline caused by a sudden reduction in the cake surface area in the middle of the constant pressure filtration period. The pressure dependences of both the average specific cake resistance and average cake porosity were obtained from only two runs which differed from each other in the pressure profiles. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 60: 3869–3877, 2014     

Determination of cake properties in ultrafiltration of nano‐colloids based on single step‐up pressure filtration test

The single step‐up pressure filtration test was developed to determine the pressure dependence of average specific resistance of the cake formed in ultrafiltration of a variety of nano‐colloids over a wide range of pressure drops across the cake. The values of the average specific resistance at extremely low pressures were obtained from only the flux decline data through the use of the distinct time variation of the pressure drop across the cake generated by using the ultrafiltration membrane with a high hydraulic resistance under the low filtration pressure in the first step of filtration. The values at higher pressures were obtained from the time variation of the filtration rate induced by a stepwise increase in the pressure. The correlations between the average specific cake resistance and the pressure drop across the cake were evaluated using only the flux decline data for a variety of different proteins and nanoparticles. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 60: 289–299, 2014     

Nanocolloid cake properties determined from step‐up pressure filtration with single‐stage reduction in filtration area

A sophisticated method was developed for evaluating simultaneously and accurately both the average specific resistance and average porosity of the filter cake formed in unstirred dead‐end ultrafiltration of nanocolloids such as protein solution and nanosilica sol. In the method, a step‐up pressure filtration test was conducted by using a filter with a single‐stage reduction in the effective filtration area. The influence of the pressure drop across the cake on not only the average specific cake resistance but also on the average cake porosity of highly compressible filter cake was evaluated using only flux decline data in one dead‐end filtration test, taking advantage of the decrease in the cake thickness caused by the pressure increase. As a result, the cake properties were easily determined for a variety of nanocolloids. Constant pressure dead‐end ultrafiltration data obtained under various pressures and concentrations were well evaluated based on the method proposed. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 61: 4426–4436, 2015     

中空纤维膜外压全量过滤动态过程的数值模拟

建立了中空纤维膜外压式全量过滤的CFD模型,模拟膜丝长度、直径、渗透系数、装填密度、污染指数以及跨膜压差不同条件,得到通量分布和产水量的动态演变过程。研究结果表明：通量分布会随着过滤的进行而逐渐变得均匀,这种通量分布的自我调节作用在膜丝较长、较细,渗透性较好,装填密度较高,污染指数较高以及跨膜压差较高时更为明显;产水流量的倒数与累积产水量呈线性关系,但由于通量分布不均匀并且均匀性演变,这种线性关系区别于传统滤饼过滤模型;通过数据拟合得到了适用于中空纤维外压式全量操作的滤饼过滤关联式,可用于预测组件的性能和指导组件的设计。     

Approach from physicochemical aspects in membrane filtration

In membrane filtration, solution environment factors such as pH and solvent density are important in controlling the filtration rate and the rejection of the particles and/or the macromolecules. The filtration rate and the rejection in membrane filtration have been investigated from physicochemical aspects. It was shown that the properties of the filter cake formed on the membrane surface play a vital role in determining the filtration rate in mem-brane filtration. It was clearly demonstrated that such filtration behaviors as the filtration rate and the rejection are highly dependent on the electrical nature of the particles and/or the macromolecules. Furthermore, it was shown that the solvent density ρ has a large effect on the steady filtration rate in upward ultrafiltration.     

Feed Cycling in Dead End Filtration

The dead end ultrafiltration of dispersions of active carbon in water was studied. High flux of the permeate and effective purification were goals of the studies. Cyclical flow of the feed (cycling) was found to be the best condition for good purification. During the purification of the membrane, an air/water dispersion was injected into the hollow fiber membrane (air sparging) to improve the cleaning effect. A Simplex optimization of significant parameters was carried out. The behavior of pressure drop and module entrance pressure permitted the classification of the values into two groups. A different build-up of the cake of these groups during the filtration is possible.     

硅藻土-木桨纤维为助滤剂强化过滤过程的研究(英文)

In this paper, a study to enhance the filtration for solid/liquid materials difficult to be filtered, such as highly viscous, highly compactible or gel like materials, is presented. Filter aids diatomaceous earth and wood pulp cellulose are used to enhance the filtration by improving filter cake structure and properties in the filtration of a biological health product and a highly viscous chemical fiber polymer melt product. The property of solid/liquid systems, filtration at different flow rates, specific cake resistance, cake wetness, filtration rate, filtrate turbidity for filter aid selection and evaluation, and operation optimization are investigated. The results are successfully applied to industrial process, and can be used as a reference for similar filtration applications.     

Detailed investigation of effects of operating parameters of ultrafiltration using laboratory-scale ultrafiltration unit

Cross flow ultrafiltration is a pressure driven membrane process in which the fluid to be filtered flows parallel to the membrane surface. The formation of filter cake can be reduced by scouring force of the flow, thus better permeate rate is obtained.

Laboratory-scale ultrafiltration experiments with Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) solution of known molecular weight was carried out to study the membrane filter performances with respect to operating parameters. These operating parameters included, membrane molecular weight cut off size, molecular weight of PVA, influent concentration, cross flow velocity and applied pressure. It was discovered that clogging in the membrane occurs quite slowly during first 30 minutes, and quasi-steady state was noticed normally after 50 minutes of filtration time. In this study, steady state flux data were used to develop semi-empirical and empirical correlations which are useful in the optimum design of ultrafiltration.     

过滤过程中滤饼比阻及其影响因素的研究

滤饼过滤过程中,滤饼比阻是滤饼主要特性之一,其大小是衡量过滤难易程度的重要参数。通过叙述滤饼比阻的定义、测量方法,以及对其影响因素的研究,揭示了滤饼比阻与滤饼颗粒物性、过滤压差、料浆浓度、溶液的pH、过滤速率和过滤时间之间的关系。     

同质增强型PMIA中空纤维膜污染及其MBR工艺处理城市生活污水

以碳酸钙悬浮液、活性污泥混合液及蛋白溶液作为过滤介质,采用标准堵塞过滤和沉积过滤数学模型预测3 h内膜污染类型,结合膜孔径分布、过滤介质粒径分布和污染阻力分布,研究同质增强型聚间苯二甲酰间苯二胺（PMIA）中空纤维超滤膜污染机理。将同质增强型PMIA中空纤维膜应用于MBR系统处理城市生活污水,监测其长期运行的出水水质;借助场发射扫描电镜和特征X射线能谱仪对比分析水洗和化学清洗效果。研究结果表明,当过滤介质为蛋白时,t-t/V线性相关系数为0.9940,膜污染符合标准堵塞模型;当过滤介质为碳酸钙悬浮液和污泥混合液时,V-t/V线性相关系数分别为0.9733、0.9994,二者较为符合沉积模型。应用于MBR中的同质增强型PMIA中空纤维膜对COD、NH₄⁺-N、TP的平均去除率分别为97.78%、96.71%、49.81%,出水水质较好。经化学清洗后膜表面元素接近于原膜,清洗效果较佳。     

湿式催化氧化/膜过滤组合工艺膜过滤机理

采用湿式催化氧化/膜过滤组合工艺,以Mo-Zn-Al-O粉末作为催化剂降解阳离子红GTL模拟染料废水,探讨在膜过滤过程中平均孔径为0.1 μm的微滤和0.022 μm的超滤聚偏氟乙烯(PVDF)中空纤维膜的过滤机理。实验结果表明,两种膜过滤组合工艺对染料的降解效果均优于单独湿式催化氧化,0.01 MPa恒压条件下运行120 min后微滤和超滤的膜通量分别衰减了26.63%和16.48%,其原因是粉末催化剂可在微滤膜孔内部沉积形成中间阻塞过滤,后在表面形成滤饼层;而在超滤膜表面仅形成滤饼层。通过实验结果对膜阻力进行计算,可知在相同反应过程后微滤膜产生的不可逆阻力大于超滤膜。在不同反应条件下,催化剂的沉积量与膜阻力呈现线性相关。     

Cross-Flow Microfiltration of Bacillus Subtilis Broths under Various Culture Times

Bacillus subtilis broths under different culture times are filtered in a cross-flow microfilter. The operating condition effects, such as cross-flow velocity, transmembrane pressure, and broth culture time, on the filtration flux, cake properties, and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) transmissions are discussed thoroughly. The culture broths contain B. subtilis cells and EPS which is characterized as polysaccharides (hydrocarbons) and proteins. An increase in broth culture time leads to higher concentrations of cells, soluble and extractable EPS. The total protein to polysaccharide concentration ratio in the broths is ca 0.2. However, the soluble polysaccharide concentration is 10-fold higher than that of soluble proteins. The filtration flux increases with increasing cross-flow velocity or transmembrane pressure. However, the impact of cross-flow velocity is more significant. The filter cake resistance formed by B. subtilis cells and EPS flocs plays the most important role in determining the overall filtration resistance. The mass and average specific filtration resistance of cake can be estimated using a force balance model and empirical equations. The cake structure and thickness are analyzed using SEM. A thicker and more compact cake may be formed under longer broth culture time. Most soluble polysaccharide and protein molecules have the opportunity to penetrate through the cake and membrane into the filtrate because the solute transmissions are measured as high as 0.75–1.0. The influences of operating conditions on the polysaccharide and protein transmissions are negligible. Therefore, to enhance filtration flux by increasing transmembrane pressure or cross-flow velocity is beneficial to improve separation efficiency, especially by increasing cross-flow velocity.     

聚乙烯醇(PVA)对模拟胞外聚合物(EPS)在错流超滤中膜污染的影响

研究了在模拟胞外聚合物(EPS)溶液中添加聚乙烯醇(PVA)对错流超滤膜过滤过程的影响. 对有无添加PVA的模拟EPS溶液分别用错流平板膜进行超滤实验,用Hermia修正模型对实验数据进行拟合,分析验证膜污染机理. 结果表明,无论是否添加PVA,模拟溶液的通量-时间实验数据对滤饼堵塞模型的拟合度都最高,为0.891~0.994;添加PVA的模拟EPS溶液形成的吸附阻力和膜污染阻力均比无添加的溶液高约0.5倍,滤饼比阻比无添加的溶液高约4倍,分别为2.29′1014和9.57′1014 m-1;模拟EPS溶液添加PVA后,通量对操作压力的敏感度增加,对膜面流速的敏感度却降低.     

用活性炭吸附强化超滤过程脱除废水中染料的研究(英文)

In this study, orange G dye was efficiently removed from aqueous solution by ultrafiltration (UF) mem-brane separation enhanced with activated carbon adsorption. The powdered activated carbon (PAC) was deposited onto the UF membrane surface, forming an intact filter cake. The enhanced UF process simultaneously exploited the high water permeation flux of porous membrane and the high adsorption ability of PAC toward dye molecules. The influencing factors on the dye removal were investigated. The results indicated that with sufficient PAC incor-poration, the formation of intact PAC filtration cake led to nearly complete rejection for dye solution under opti-mized dye concentration and operation pressure, without large sacrificing the permeation flux of the filtration process. Typically, the dye rejection ratio increased from 43.6% for single UF without adsorption to nearly 100% for the en-hanced UF process, achieving long time continuous treatment with water permeation flux of 47 L·m 2·h 1. The pre-sent study demonstrated that adsorption enhanced UF may be a feasible method for the dye wastewater treatment.     

Phenomenological theory of depth membrane filtration

A phenomenological theory of depth membrane filtration (DMF), in which outside-in hollow fiber membranes are used as collectors of colloidal particles, is developed to study the performance of a hollow fiber membrane filter with two product streams, permeate (clarified liquid that passed through semipermeable membrane) and filtrate (clarified liquid due to the collection of suspended particles on the external surface of hollow fibers). The theory is based on the general phenomenological expression for the rate of particle deposition on the membrane surface, in which the deposition rate is proportional to the product of the particle deposition coefficient and the concentration of suspended particles, with the deposition coefficient being an arbitrary function of the mass of deposited particles and permeate velocity. The system of governing equations is solved by the generalized Crank-Nicholson finite-difference method and the approximate method using the averaging of the permeate velocity in the mass conservation equation. The effect of membrane permeability on the filter productivity is studied. It is shown that the approximate solution can be used as a relatively simple and accurate tool to study and design hollow fiber filters for DMF.     

Effect of membrane morphology on rising properties of filtration resistance in microfiltration of dilute colloids

The effect of membrane morphology on the flux decline behaviors in dead‐end unstirred microfiltration of very dilute colloids of polystyrene latex was examined using mixed cellulose ester and cellulose acetate membranes with interconnected tortuous pores and track‐etched polycarbonate membranes with uniform straight cylindrical pores. The plots of reciprocal filtration rate against the filtrate volume per unit membrane area for the former two membranes exhibit concave downward curves in the initial period when the membrane pore blocking is significant, whereas the plot for the latter shows a concave upward curve in that period. The former results were described by a serial resistance model consisting of the initial membrane pore blocking followed by filter cake growth, and the latter was represented by a parallel resistance model in which the pore blocking and cake growth develop simultaneously from the beginning of filtration. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 63: 3511–3522, 2017     

Standardization in the Production and Testing Procedures for Polyethersulfone Hollow Fiber Ultrafiltration Membranes

Abstract

Several hollow fiber ultrafiltration membranes have been produced from polyethersulfone-polyvinyl pyrrolidone-N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone solutions and tested. The effects of feed flow velocity through the fiber bore on pressure drop in the test fiber bundle, membrane separations for PEG solutes, and the obtainable mass transfer coefficients under the test conditions have been experimentally determined and discussed. Further, the effects of storage time and prefiltration of the fiber casting polymer solution on the performance characteristics of the resulting membranes have been studied. The viscosity of the fiber casting solution increased upon storage for a few weeks, and it decreased after the solution was filtered prior to use in fiber production. Storage time and filtration treatment of the fiber casting solution had significant effects on the morphology of the resulting membranes. Casting solution of longer storage time and without filtration pretreatment produced smaller size pores on the membrane bore-side skin layer, and a larger number of such pores and/or a thinner skin layer in the resulting membrane. On the basis of these results, the need for standardizing the fiber producing conditions and fiber testing procedure is pointed out, and a few suggestions are made for such standardization.     

一种基于膜污染指数的超滤膜污染评价方法

利用浸没式中空纤维膜小试系统,基于膜污染指数（FI）建立超滤膜污染的评价和试验方法。通过试验考察超滤膜污染变化规律,以及运行周期对膜污染指数计算的影响,并确定计算膜污染指数的运行周期;并对膜污染指数评价方法的可重复性进行检验：对化学清洗前后膜污染指数进行比较。试验表明,在过滤初期,滤饼污染和吸附污染并存,所以初期水力不可逆膜污染指数（HIFI）增长较快;中期超滤膜的吸附能力不断减弱,膜污染主要是滤饼污染,所以膜污染较为稳定：后期跨膜压力过大,压缩滤饼层,减小滤饼孔隙率,增加滤饼阻力,所以HIFI有所增加。同时短期的膜污染试验可以用来反映长期的膜污染情况,该超滤膜污染的评价方法重复性好,污染后的超滤膜经过化学清洗后。可以重复利用。