Research Abstracts

The effect of solute size relative to membrane pore size on the critical flux during the ultrafiltration of protein solutions was investigated using the constant pressure method. Hydrophilic regenerated cellulose membranes with a cut-off of 10, 30 and 100 kg mol!1, model proteins and skimmed milk so

In the pulp and paper mill membrane filtration applications the volumes of processed water are huge. Due to this high and stable capacity of the membrane is required. Since the membrane capacity is a result of many different factors, finding the most suitable membrane for a certain application usual

A membranes hydrophobicity, surface roughness and charge can all affect its tendency to foul and its subsequent cleanability. In this study polysulphone (PSf), polyethersulphone (PES) and regenerated cellulose (RC) ultrafiltration (UF) membranes were fouled with spent sulphite liquor (SSL) and clean

Membrane fouling by flocculated particulate mixtures formed by silica (SiO2) and alumina (Al2O3) was studied. The properties of the particulate mixtures formed depended on the properties of the solutions. The effect of floc properties and temperature on the apparent critical flux was studied by flux

The development of membrane technology has reached a state whereby operational optimisation is becoming the major issue to both researchers and industrial operators. A key focus is towards sustainable operation where fouling is limited and cleaning is greatly reduced. The paper presents an example o

Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) are viewed as major fouling components during filtration of biological feeds in industry. However, very few studies investigated the fouling mechanisms of polysaccharides, one major group of macromolecules in EPS. In this work, dead end unstirred filtration o

Textile effluents usually contain high concentrations of inorganics as well as organics, and are therefore difficult to treat. Membrane processes can be used for many of these wastewaters in the textile industry. Two typical examples are discussed: (1) the use of nanofiltration for the treatment of

Membrane bioreactors (MBR) combine biological processes with membrane filtration. The main obstacle to efficient operation remains the deterioration of membrane permeability with time. One possible approach to the fouling issue is sub-critical flux operation. Other options are air sparging and backf

Membrane fouling is customarily indicated and measured by permeate decline at constant operating conditions. Although this method has been widely used for many years, it is inadequate for characterizing fouling development in modern full-scale RO processes. It has been demonstrated that in some full

Water situation of the rural area of Damascus has been investigated in details including water resources, consumption, shortage and quality. Due to the shortage of potable water, a suitable RO plant was suggested. Full details of its design including its needed pretreatment are presented. Water prod