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Authors Carroll, T. ; Booker, N.A. ; Meier-Haack, J.
Title Polyelectrolyte-grafted microfiltration membranes to control fouling by natural organic matter in drinking water
Date 16.05.2002
Number 9931
Abstract Membrane fouling by natural organic matter (NOM) adsorption is a major factor limiting the use of microfiltration for drinking water treatment. Charged and non-charged hydrophilic polymers were grafted as a flexible layer onto a polypropylene hollow fibre to alter the surface properties and the electrostatic interactions between the feed components and the membrane surface. The hydrophilic polymers were polyacrylic acid, 2-(<i>N</i>,<i>N</i>-dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate and poly(ethylene glycol)<sub>900</sub> monomethyl ether monoacrylate. The flux of the graft-modified membranes depends on electrostatic properties of the feed stream, such as pH and multi-valent counterions. Non-ionic and cationic hydrophilic grafts have rates of flux decline by NOM fouling up to 50% lower than ungrafted polypropylene. Anionic hydrophilic grafts have initial flux increases up to 140% at high graft yields due to multi-valent ions in the natural water, although the pure-water flux is substantially lower than for the ungrafted membrane. These membranes c<br />an filter an NOM-containing surface water for extended periods without any flux decline due to fouling or without compromising permeate quality. These tailor-made modified membranes function by increasing permeability to counteracting fouling. Rejection is not compromised as the original membrane is fully intact. Performance may be controlled to suit a particular feed source by matching graft polymer and graft yield to source pH and counterion concentration (e.g. hardness).
Publisher Journal of Membrane Science
Wikidata
Citation Journal of Membrane Science 203 (2002) 3-13
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/S0376-7388(01)00701-3
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