Membrane fouling by mixtures of oppositely charged particles

Membrane fouling persists to be among key obstacles in liquid membrane-based separation processes, and thereby the underlying understanding has actively been pursued. The two gaps attempted addressed here are namely, (i) internal fouling, which limited studies due limitations of instruments available; (ii) by mixtures oppositely charged particles, as an extension on effect surface charge pure foulants fouling. With sub-micron constituents (namely, negatively carboxylated latex particles positively aminated particles) benchmarks, three different compositions particle types were investigated. membrane was polycarbonate track-etched (PCTE) membrane. Surprisingly, gave worse flux decline than that purely latex, contradicts electrostatic considerations. model indicates exhibited higher pore blockage parameters ( ? ) either constituents, agree with trends. On other hand, cake resistance R c /R m between disagree Furthermore, optical coherence tomography (OCT) analysis had taller buildups well heterogenous cakes. Therefore, steepest declines for seem better correlated extensive external manifested pores, rather since cakes more porous. contradictory mitigated phenomena unexpected based considerations, highlight resulting from may not readily extrapolated feeds. • Steeper ones. Mixtures greater agreeing intermediate internal-cake resistance, deviating OCT trends affirm porous mixtures. Contradictory