Development of a fluid dynamic gauging method for the characterization of fouling behavior during cross-flow filtration of a wood extraction liquor

A method based on fluid dynamic gauging (FDG) was developed to investigate the membrane fouling behavior of streams containing dissolved wood components and small particles extracted using a mild steam explosion pretreatment. Industrially chipped softwood subjected saturated at 7 bar for 20 min, followed by cross-flow filtration liquors 10 kDa polysulfone membranes 2 transmembrane pressure. The results showed severe decline in permeate flux during initial stages filtration. FDG profiles from five experiments revealed that thicker layers were formed pristine compared subsequent non-pristine membranes. difference suggests cake layer formation dominant fouling, whereas pore blocking more pronounced refouling. This study highlights how can be used gain better mechanistic understanding components.