Membrane fouling characteristics analysis of high concentration powdered activated carbon-microfiltration integrated system

The membrane fouling characteristics of high concentration powdered activated carbon-microfiltration (HCPAC-MF)integrated process are studied by comparing them with those of direct microfitration system using the particle counter,scanning electron microscope(SEM)and atomic force microscope(AFM).The results indicate that the specific flux of HCPAC-MF is 3 times better than that of the direct filtration process after the system is stabilized.The addition of HCPAC changes the particle distribution of raw water and influences the structure of surface fouling layer.The PAC with irregular shapes aggregating on the membrane surface makes the cake layer structure loose and increases the roughness of membrane surface,and this decreases the thickness of hydrodynamic boundary layer and the membrane resistance.After the physical cleaning,the membrane surface and pores are clean without any fouling matters aggregation,which illustrates that the cake layer of PAC can be formed quickly in this HCPAC environment and prevent the occurrence of irreversible fouling.