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An Investigation into Membrane Fouling from Algae-containing Waters

Surface waters subject to algal blooms have a high rate of fouling water treatment filtration membrane. These waters typically contain high concentrations of hydrophilic organic carbon compounds such as proteins and polysaccharides. These compounds have been found to contribute greatly to membrane fouling. In this study the fouling propensity, and the components of the fouling layer, for microfiltration (MF) and ultrafiltration (UF) membranes, were characterised for samples taken from a wastewater treatment plant with lagoons prone to algal blooms and a blue-green algae culture (Anabaena circinalis). It was found that the organic carbon compounds released during the growth phase (EOM) of Anabaena circinalis have a similar fouling propensity for UF than those released during the lysis phase (AOM), and a slightly higher fouling propensity for MF. However, due to the presence of higher UV-absorbing hydrophilic compounds, higher concentration of intracellular proteins and/or humic acid-like matter in the AOM, irreversible fouling was significantly higher during the lysis phase.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:ADTP/246460
Date January 2009
CreatorsStork, David Anthony, davids@wgcma.vic.gov.au
PublisherRMIT University. Civil, Environmental and Chemical Engineering
Source SetsAustraliasian Digital Theses Program
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
Rightshttp://www.rmit.edu.au/help/disclaimer, Copyright David Anthony Stork

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