Build-up and relaxation of membrane fouling deposits produced during crossflow ultrafiltration of casein micelle dispersions at 12 °C and 42 °C probed by in situ SAXS

Skim milk filtration is performed either at low or high temperature. However, there still a lack of knowledge concerning the influence temperature on membrane fouling. We used in situ small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) to study external fouling during crossflow ultrafiltration protein (casein micelle) dispersions 12 °C and 42 °C. Casein micelle concentration distribution was measured polarization layer deposit three-step experiment that consisted (i) development step (with applied pressure average cross-flow velocity fixed 110 kPa 3.1 cm s?1, respectively), (ii) relaxation reduced 10 kPa), (iii) erosion increased 15.6 s?1). Despite higher filtrate flux obtained °C, resulted formation thicker more concentrated than At both temperatures studied, subsequent swelling, which intense less-compressed part deposit. Deposit swelling rate significantly The swelled eroded by compared poorly 12°. This suggests compression were reversible