New insights into the organic fouling mechanism of an in situ Ca²⁺ modified thin film composite forward osmosis membrane.

ABSTRACT: In this study, the effect of organic substances on the fouling behavior of a thin film composite (TFC) membrane with in situ Ca²⁺ addition (TFC-Ca membrane) was evaluated. Bovine serum albumin (BSA), humic acid (HA) and sodium alginate (SA) were used as surrogate foulants for protein, natural organic substances and polysaccharides, respectively, thus enabling the analysis of foulant-membrane interaction in the membrane fouling process. Fouling experiments were carried out and the fouling mechanism was investigated by extended Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (XDLVO) theory. SEM-EDX, ICP-OES and TOC analysis were applied to characterize the fouled TFC-Ca membrane. Results suggested that the interfacial free energies obtained from advanced contact angle measurements were co

SUBMITTER: Hao X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9075835 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature