Biomass attachment and growth on high pressure membranes alter the surface characteristics and rejection performance of nanofiltration membranes. Along with electrostatic interaction and size exclusion, hydrophobic interaction between solutes and membrane surface play the major role in the separation process. Therefore, in attempt to properly quantify the surface energy of clean and biofouled membranes, different contact angle techniques were applied in this research. The surface energies of membranes were determined on dry, wet and hydrated surfaces. Results indicate that drying of the membrane surface leads to a modification of the surface properties, which are therefore not representative of the membrane in its operational conditions. Immersing the membrane in water resulted in detachment of biomass material into the surrounding liquid, thus hampering a correct estimation of the contact angle. Contact angle measurements on hydrated surfaces, on the contrary, produced reproducible results, which are consistent with current knowledge. In addition, when the values obtained by hydrated method were applied in a predictive model earlier developed, a significant improvement in predictions resulted.
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Research Article|
November 01 2012
Surface characterisation of biofouled NF membranes: role of surface energy for improved rejection predictions
Sabrina Botton;
1KWR Watercycle Institute, 3433 PE Nieuwegein, The Netherlands
E-mail: sabrina.botton@gmail.com
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Arne R. D. Verliefde;
Arne R. D. Verliefde
2Particle and Interfacial Technology Group, Ghent University, B-9000 Gent, Belgium
3Delft University of Technology, 2600 GA Delft, The Netherlands
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Nhut T. Quach;
Nhut T. Quach
3Delft University of Technology, 2600 GA Delft, The Netherlands
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Emile R. Cornelissen
Emile R. Cornelissen
1KWR Watercycle Institute, 3433 PE Nieuwegein, The Netherlands
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Water Sci Technol (2012) 66 (10): 2122–2130.
Article history
Received:
March 14 2012
Accepted:
June 14 2012
Citation
Sabrina Botton, Arne R. D. Verliefde, Nhut T. Quach, Emile R. Cornelissen; Surface characterisation of biofouled NF membranes: role of surface energy for improved rejection predictions. Water Sci Technol 1 November 2012; 66 (10): 2122–2130. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2012.430
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