MBR-7: Impact of chemical cleaning agents on membrane material
RWTH |
05/2006 - 04/2007 |
Today, most operators have to rely on chemical cleaning agents such as sodium hypochloride and different acids to control membrane fouling and to accomplish a permeability level in the system which is suitable to cope with the hydraulic load. Although these chemicals have proved to be effective in removing organic and inorganic foulants the long-term impact on the membrane material is not fully understood but of great relevance for a sustainable membrane life-time.
Test-cell experiments will be conducted where different membrane materials will be confronted with different cleaning agents and doses which correspond to long-time applications. The impact on the membrane material will be monitored with regard to various membrane properties, such as pore size distribution, molecular weight cut off and surface morphology.