Threshold flux measurement of an ultrafiltration membrane module in the treatment of two-phase olive mill wastewater

The critical and threshold flux theories represent an important advance in membrane knowledge. Comprehension of the flux behavior of ultrafiltration (UF) membranes is key to control the fouling issues during the steady operation of the plant. In this regard, differing between critical or threshold flux patterns in the treatment of wastewater effluents by UF is relevant to confirm the level of fouling expected and to verify if no fouling is predictable or if certain amount of fouling cannot be avoided. In the present study, the hydrodynamic behavior of a polymeric UF membrane was analyzed by means of both critical and threshold flux theories and diverse patterns were found depending on the feedstock pollutants concentration and particle size distribution. Results obtained from the pressure-cycling experiments point for a threshold flux pattern in the case of UF of the effluent derived from the extraction process (OMW) disregarding the applied pretreatment, whereas for 1:1 (v/v) mixture of the latter with the wastewater from the fruit washing (OWW) the membrane fits a critical flux trend, indistinctly of the performed pretreatment too, with negligible fouling below the critical conditions. These conclusions are supported by the experimental permeate flux profiles during batch-run operation experiments.