Fouling mitigation in the repeated batch runs of electrodialysis with humate foulant

Since membrane fouling is one of the important considerations in electrodialysis, many approaches have been considered in order to minimize fouling of the process. In this study, square wave powers having pulsing effects were employed to investigate the effects of the frequencies on the fouling mitigation during fouling experiments of humate, forming a loosely packed fouling layer on the anion exchange membrane surface. It was shown that a pulsing electric field with determined optimal frequency reduced the fouling potential of an already fouled system in repeated batch runs at a significant level. It was suggested through electrodialysis experiments of humate that the pulsation of the electric field affected the electromigration of the charged particles deposited in the fouling layer, thus decreasing fouling potentials.     

Determination of an optimum frequency of square wave power for fouling mitigation in desalting electrodialysis in the presence of humate

Membrane fouling in electrodialysis (ED) can be minimized by using optimized pulsed power instead of direct current (DC) power. For the determination of an optimum frequency, effects of the square wave power with various frequencies on fouling mitigation were studied in the presence of humate as a foulant in a NaCl solution. In desalting of a NaCl solution with humate an optimum frequency of the square wave power was found to be 30 Hz, determined by the membrane fouling index for Neosepta AMX and CMX membranes. AMX membrane has a lower optimum frequency than that of the relatively loose AM-1, which was near 100 Hz in a previous study. Molecular weight distribution of humate transported to the concentrate compartment through AMX and AM-1 membranes indicated the structural difference between the two membranes. Through cell tests and desalting ED, a higher performance was achieved with the optimized square wave power than the DC power in terms of conductivity and cell resistance.     

Characterization of anion exchange membranes with natural organic matter (NOM) during electrodialysis

Natural organic matter (NOM) is thought to be a major source of fouling during membrane filtration of natural waters. The organic matter present in surface waters was characterized in terms of its molecular weight distribution, acidity and electrokinetic properties. The fouling potentials of anion exchange membranes were predicted by the characterization. Changes in the physicochemical properties of anion exchange membranes were also examined during electrodialysis (ED) process of solutions containing NOM. The ED performances were evaluated for the three anion exchange membranes (AMX, AM-1 and ACM) in the presence of NOM. Fouling phenomena in terms of current efficiency and NaCl flux were in good agreement with the fouling potentials predicted by the characterization results. Observations of the molecular weight distribution and the constituents of NOM revealed that the hydrophobic NOM fraction with high molecular weights deposited mainly on the membrane surface, providing fouling effects on the anion exchange membrane.     

高频电磁场抑垢效果的实验研究

用高频电磁法进行换热设备的抑垢处理,具有应用方便、投资小、无污染等优点,是一种极具发展前景的应用技术。但有效评价高频电磁场在线抑垢效果的策略及手段还很欠缺。基于污垢热阻值的在线监测技术,通过自主研发的在线监测评价实验系统采集和处理模拟换热器中研究管段的流体出入口温度、流速和壁温,得到加磁处理与未加磁处理的污垢热阻变化趋势以及加磁处理的抑垢率。同时测量和分析了溶液电导率的变化,完成了高频电磁场的抑垢效果的客观评价,并取得了良好的预期结果。     

Removal of hardness in fermentation broth by electrodialysis

Lysine fermentation broth was desalinated by electrodialysis to reduce hardness concentrations as a pretreatment procedure for the purification and recovery of amino acids. Electrodialysis performance was investigated in terms of the rate of reduction in conductivity in dilute solutions and electrodialysis cell resistance for different ion exchange membranes at a constant current density. Among the membranes investigated in this study, membranes with high water content showed the better performance for hardness removal. Fouling experiments revealed that organics gave rise to fouling effects on the anion exchange membrane during demineralization of the lysine fermentation broth. The pulsed electric field with the half‐wave power enhanced the electrodialysis performances by mitigating membrane fouling in desalination of the lysine fermentation broth. This study successfully demonstrated the potential use of pulse power as an effective cleaning‐in‐place (CIP) method during electrodialysis of fermentation broth. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effects of silica sol on ion exchange membranes: Electrochemical characterization of anion exchange membranes in electrodialysis of silica sol containing-solutions

The fouling potential of the negatively charged silica sol in electrodialysis (ED) by adsorption on the surface of an anion exchange membrane was investigated. Since the fouling potential is related to the physical and electrochemical properties of the silica sol and anion exchange membranes, it is important to characterize the properties of silica sol and membranes. The surface charge of silica sol was investigated by the electrophoretic mobility and its isoelectric point was determined as pH 3. The commercial anion exchange membranes were characterized in terms of exchange capacity, water content, the zeta potential and the electrochemical properties of the membranes using impedance spectroscopy to predict the effects on the electrodialysis performances. Among the characterized properties, exchange capacity and some electrochemical properties of the anion exchange membranes were rather improved after ED experiments. In the electrodialysis of solution containing silica sol, deposition of the silica sol did not decrease the desalting performance of the anion exchange membranes because of loosely packed cake layer on the membrane surface.     

Effects of Ionic Environments on Bovine Serum Albumin Fouling in a Cross‐Flow Ultrafiltration System

The influence of electrostatic interactions on membrane fouling during the separation of bovine serum albumin (BSA) from solution was studied in a cross‐flow ultrafiltration system. Experiments were carried out at different pH values between 3.78 and 7.46; and for different ionic strengths between 0.001 M and 0.1 M. The changes in permeate flux, cake layer resistance, zeta potentials of BSA and polyether sulfone (PES) membranes, and electrostatic interaction energies, were evaluated. At all of the ionic conditions studied, PES membranes are negatively charged. However, BSA molecules are either negatively or positively charged depending on the ionic environment. Whereas the cake layer resistance decreased with increasing pH and ionic strength, the permeate fluxes increased. The calculated electrostatic energy was a minimum at the isoelectric point (IEP) of BSA. However, at this point, the cake resistances corresponding to fouling at each ionic strength, were not minimized. Below the IEP of BSA, the electrostatic forces were attractive, while above the IEP, repulsive electrostatic forces were dominant.     

工业废水电渗析过程中膜污染研究进展

综述了工业废水电渗析体系膜污染类型、性质、影响因素等的研究进展. 无机污染主要是Ca2+, Mg2+或其他高价离子在离子膜表面或内部形成的结垢现象,原理是极化或溶液过饱和形成沉淀. 有机污染是由蛋白、腐植酸、表面活性剂及大分子有机物在离子膜表面沉积或渗透到膜内部而形成,原因主要是带负电荷的有机物与阴膜荷正电基团的静电作用及带苯环有机物与基膜的亲和作用,其次是有机物分子大小与膜的网络结构的作用. 膜污染形成及其性质与施加电流、共存组分、温度、pH值和运行时间等密切相关,可造成离子膜导电性、离子交换容量、水含量和极限电流密度等减小,且有机污染对电渗析性能的影响比无机污染更严重. 由有机物凝胶层形成的膜污染可用电渗析膜污染指数定量描述.     

焦化生化出水电渗析脱盐研究

采用电渗析技术对焦化生化出水如曝气生物滤池出水及反渗透浓水进行脱盐,考察不同废水中的离子迁移、废水脱盐及离子交换膜污染情况。结果表明:2种焦化废水采用电渗析处理具有较好的脱盐效果,其中不同离子的迁移脱除与其浓度、离子半径等密切相关。膜电阻测试表明,不同焦化废水电渗析体系中不同离子交换膜的污染存在差别。扫描电镜和红外分析表明,曝气生物滤池出水主要由有机物造成阴离子交换膜污染,而反渗透浓水主要在电渗析浓室侧的膜表面形成颗粒状的无机污染,且阳膜浓室侧比阴膜浓室侧更显著。     

Anionic membranes of low permselectivity in pilot plant operation

The behaviour of low permselectivity anionic membranes in pilot plant operation was studied by substituting such membranes for the conventional anionic ones used in electrodialysis. The product flow rate or electrical current is limited in electrodialysis because of scaling and fouling problems associated with the anionic membrane. Higher electrical currents and flow rates were achieved with the new anionic membranes (Neginst-P.E.N. developed in our laboratories) without the associated effects of fouling and scaling. While these anionic membranes require more electrical power per unit of desalinized water than electrodialysis, the additional electrical costs are more than offset by operation at higher current densities.     

Effects of ultrasound parameters on ultrasound-assisted ultrafiltration using cross-flow hollow fiber membrane for Radix astragalus extracts

In this study, the effects of ultrasonic parameters on permeate flux and fouling resistances in the ultrasound-assisted ultrafiltration (UAUF) process of Radix astragalus extracts with hollow fiber membrane (HFM) was investigated. Ultrasonic parameters such as frequency, power and irradiation mode all can significantly affect the flux and fouling during the UAUF process, though the ultrasound power intensity was attenuated to be 10% only from generator. Concentration polarization and cake layer were decreased effectively by the ultrasound irradiation, resulting in a high flux performance. Meanwhile, HFM was susceptible to the irradiation at high power and low frequency compared with a flat sheet membrane. Ultrasound can not only enhance the permeate flux in UAUF but also cause breakage of HFM at an unsuited ultrasound field. It can be applied to the ultrafiltration process with HFM at an appropriate power and frequency.     

Effects of polyaniline nanoparticles in polyethersulfone ultrafiltration membranes: Fouling behaviours by different types of foulant

Polyethersulfone (PES) was modified by blending it with polyaniline (PANI) nanoparticles to improve the membrane performance. Three types of membranes: PES (controlled sample), PES-PANI self-synthesised, and PES-PANI (commercial), were evaluated by direct interaction with BSA, humic acid, silica nanoparticles, Escherichia coli and Bacillus bacteria. The surface hydrophilicity of the modified PES membranes was enhanced by the addition of PANI nanoparticles and showed improved fouling resistance and a high flux recovery ratio as well as improvement in BSA and humic acid rejection even with higher pore sizes. The modified membrane also showed less attack from the bacteria, demonstrating improved biofouling activity.     

电泳膜接触器研究进展

电泳膜接触器（EMC）是在传统电渗析器中引入多孔膜,或用多孔膜代替部分离子交换膜的一种新型膜分离技术,其中多孔膜作为两液流的接触界面,提供传质的场所,垂直于液流方向的电场是唯一的驱动力。本文介绍了EMC的工作原理,并简要概述了EMC的膜堆构型及运行模式。详细分析了进料液pH值、电场强度等操作参数、多孔膜的材质和截留相对分子质量等对EMC过程传质的影响,且对EMC运行过程中多孔膜的污染状况进行了探讨,并展望了EMC在生物大分子分离和纯化中的应用潜力。EMC中多孔膜的引入,使得EMC可以用于相对分子质量大于500 Da的生物分子的分离与纯化,进一步拓宽了电渗析的应用领域,而外加电场的作用能够有效减轻多孔膜的污染,因此,EMC在生物分子的分离与纯化方面具有广阔的应用前景。     

The role of hydrodynamic conditions and solution chemistry on protein fouling during ultrafiltration

This study investigates the effect of hydrodynamic conditions and solution chemistry on protein fouling during ultrafiltration. Drastic flux reduction was observed at high initial flux and/or low cross-flow velocity. A limiting flux existed during BSA filtration, beyond which membrane flux cannot be sustained. Further increase in pressure over the limiting value did not enhance the stable flux. The rate and extent of BSA fouling were also strongly dependent on the feedwater composition, such as BSA concentration, pH, and ionic strength. Foulant concentration had no effect on the stable flux, although the rate approaching to the stable flux increased proportionally with increasing foulant concentration. Fouling was most severe at the isoelectric point of BSA (pH 4.7), where the electrostatic repulsion between foulant molecules is negligible. Membrane fouling became less severe at pHs away from the isoelectric point. Increasing ionic strength at pH 3.0 promoted severe fouling likely due to electric double layer (EDL) compression. On the other hand, the flux behavior was insensitive to salt concentration at pH 4.7 due to the lack of electrostatic interaction. At a solution pH of 5.8, effect of ionic strength on long-term flux behavior was directly opposite to that on the transient behavior. While the long-term flux was lower at higher ionic strength due to EDL compression, the transient behavior was also affected by the BSA retention of the membrane.     

Fouling characteristics of an ultrafiltration membrane used in drinking water treatment

The fouling characteristics of ultrafiltration membranes used in drinking water were investigated when used alone and when used in an integrated biofilter-membrane system to treat a humic-acid laden solution. Membrane strands from sacrificial modules operating in parallel with bench-scale modules were analysed from both systems (with and without pretreatment). Chemical and microbiological analyses were performed on these strands together with different process streams along the treatment train. Microscopic observations performed on the sacrificial membrane strands revealed that most of the fouling material was organic in nature with high numbers of viable microorganisms. When comparing their fouling characteristics, a positive effect from the biofilter was observed on the performance of the membrane with pretreatment, decreasing in general the amount of material deposited and reducing the fouling rate. Membranes were tested at two different permeate fluxes; this variable did not have an effect on the overall amount of material deposited, but it significantly impacted the membrane fouling rate.     

Membrane fouling caused by amino acid and calcium during bipolar membrane electrodialysis

BACKGROUND: Bipolar membrane electrodialysis (BMED) has been widely applied in the recovery/production of organic acids and in the treatment of wastewater containing ammonium sulfate, sodium nitrate, sodium acetate and ammonium nitrate. However, membrane fouling is still one of the major problems in the electrodialysis process. Since calcium and amino acid are present naturally in fermentation wastewater, this study was carried out to determine the effects of calcium and amino acid on membrane fouling when simulated fermentation wastewater containing ammonium sulfate was treated by BMED. RESULTS: Calcium formed a scale on the cation exchange membrane (CEM) surface in contact with the base cell, but this had no significant adverse effect on the BMED performance. Amino acid, however, caused CEM fouling of the inner membrane, which hampered the BMED process. The coexistence of calcium and amino acid aggravated the membrane fouling, as observed morphologically on the CEM surface on the base cell side. Elemental mapping analysis showed that the membrane foulant was composed of calcium hydroxide and amino acid. CONCLUSION: The CEM fouling caused by calcium and that due to amino acid, which were distributed differently on the membrane, had different effects on the BMED performance. The coexistence of amino acid and calcium deteriorated the CEM fouling during BMED. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

阴离子交换膜改性及抗污染性能研究进展

电渗析技术应用于工业废水脱盐时,废水中有机物及其它杂质组分等会造成膜污染,进而影响脱盐性能。电渗析膜污染防治对促进电渗析在工业废水处理中的应用有重要意义。相比于阳离子交换膜,阴离子交换膜更易形成有机污染,且更严重。阴离子交换膜污染主要由腐殖酸、牛血清蛋白、阴离子表面活性剂等有机物造成,污染过程主要受静电作用、亲和作用和几何因素的影响。膜改性提高阴离子交换膜的抗污染性能是电渗析膜污染防治的有效方法,目前已有许多有关膜改性提高阴离子交换膜抗污染性能的报道。膜改性方法主要有化学改性法、等离子体改性法、表面涂覆改性法、电沉积改性法、自聚合改性法及改进基膜结构法等。本工作对阴离子交换膜改性及抗污染性能的研究进展进行了综述,对不同改性方法的优缺点进行了分析和评价。这些改性方法能提高阴膜表面的负电荷密度和亲水性、降低膜表面粗糙度和基膜含水率等,因此可以改善阴离子交换膜的抗污染性能。然而,目前研究获得的改性阴离子交换膜仍存在修饰层不稳定、抗污染性能不理想和性能测试不系统等缺点,需进一步优化改性方法、改性工艺、组分修饰及性能测试等,以获得抗污染性能稳定且效果良好的改性阴离子交换膜。     

Fabrication of anti-fouling thin-film composite reverse osmosis membrane via constructing heterogeneous wettability surface

Anti-fouling properties are tightly related to the surface properties of reverse osmosis (RO) membranes. In our study, fluorinated polyethyleneimine (FPEI) was synthesized by introducing perfluoroalkyl groups into a hydrophilic polyethyleneimine (PEI) matrix, and the heterogeneous wettability surface with hydrophilic and low-surface-energy properties was constructed by grafting FPEI on membrane surface via the carbodiimide-induced method. Verified by the result analysis of SEM, AFM, and zeta potentials measurements, the fluorinated RO membrane surface presented denser, smoother, and reduced negative charge. The surface free energy of RO membrane surface after grafting FPEI decreased from 45.5 to 38.7 mJ/m². By using bovine serum albumin (BSA), humic acid (HA), and dodecyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (DTAB) as model foulants, the fluorinated RO membrane exhibits optimal fouling resistance and fouling release properties compared to pristine membrane and membrane modified by surface grafting hydrophilic PEI. Especially, the high recovery ratio (99%) and low total flux decline ratio (17.2%) were acquired during the filtration of BSA solution. These results manifested that the construction of a heterogeneous wettability surface can further improve the anti-fouling properties of RO membranes compared to a pure hydrophilic surface, and the corresponding anti-fouling mechanism was put forward.     

扩散渗析-电渗析回收赖氨酸离子交换废液中的盐

为缓解电渗析膜污染,提高电渗析性能,采用阴膜扩散渗析对待脱盐的赖氨酸离子交换废液进行净化处理,对扩散渗析回收的(NH4)2SO4溶液进行电渗析脱盐浓缩。结果表明,当扩散渗析流量为5.6 L/h时,扩散渗析的扩散系数达2.24?10?7 cm2/s,离子交换废液中(NH4)2SO4透过率约为30%,可截留90.1% Mg2+和94.5%有机氮、80.3%蛋白、86.0%总糖、79.3%化学需氧量(COD);与直接电渗析赖氨酸离子交换废液相比,对扩散渗析回收的(NH4)2SO4溶液进行电渗析脱盐浓缩,SO42?膜通量、电流效率分别提高了55.7%和18.3%,操作时间、单位膜通量能耗分别降低了26.1%和42.3%。用扩散渗析净化赖氨酸离子交换废液可有效缓解后续电渗析的膜污染,提高电渗析性能。     

Microbial Fuel Cell Membrane Bioreactor in Wastewater Treatment,Electricity Generation and Fouling Mitigation

Membrane bioreactors (MBR) have gained much attention due to their ability to achieve higher treatment efficiency. However, high external energy consumption in aeration for membrane fouling mitigation has been limiting their application. Microbial fuel cells (MFC) can ideally extract energy from wastewater in the form of electricity and reduce membrane fouling. Thus, the use of MFC-MBR is rapidly expanding. However, the MFC-MBR design and operation is not fully mature and further research is needed to optimize the process efficiency and enhance the applicability. This review gives an overview of recent studies on the performances of MFC-MBR systems, regarding the design and configuration of the integrated system, irrespective of whether optimization was done or not in the operating system.