Distribution and deposition of organic fouling on the microfiltration membrane evaluated by high-frequency ultrasound

Yi Hsun Lin, Kuo Lun Tung, Shyh Hau Wang, Qifa Zhou, K. Kirk Shung

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A 50MHz high-frequency ultrasound and analysis method were developed to further improve the in situ assessment of deposition and distribution of organic fouling on the polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes. Measurements of fouling depositions were performed from PVDF membranes filtrated with aqueous humic acid solutions (HAS) of 2 and 4ppm concentrations in a flat-sheet module. Ultrasound signals reflected from the PVDF membranes, following filtrations at various durations including 0, 5, 15, 30, 60, and 100min, were acquired. The thickness and distribution of fouling estimated and assessed by peak-to-peak echo voltage (Vpp) and C-mode images were found to be non-homogeneously deposited on the membranes. Following the filtrations with 2 and 4ppm HAS for 100min, the corresponding thickness of fouling deposition increased from 1.81±0.9 to 2.45±1.57μm, respectively; those average Vpp decreased from 2.05±0.07 to 1.13±0.16V and from 2.11±0.08 to 0.94±0.15V. These results demonstrated that the deposition and distribution of organic fouling could be sensitively and rapidly evaluated by high-frequency ultrasound image incorporated with the analysis method.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)100-111
Number of pages12
JournalJournal of Membrane Science
Volume433
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2013 Apr 5

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Biochemistry
  • General Materials Science
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
  • Filtration and Separation

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