Colloidal fouling of microfiltration membranes during the treatment of aqueous feed streams

Experimental data has been obtained from a computer controlled crossflow microfiltration apparatus. Polymer membranes of differing properties have been used to filter suspensions carrying colloidal and fine particles of known shape, size, surface charge and chemical composition. The process parameters (feed concentration, crossflow velocity and pressure difference) have been changed systematically, and flux decline curves measured for the matrix of particle, suspension, and process properties. This paper presents results from the experimental programme, and in the light of these results explains some of the apparent anomalies which have been presented in previous publications.