INFLUENCE OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF NATURAL ORGANIC MATTER ON THE FOULING OF MICROFILTRATION MEMBRANES

Understanding of the interaction between the fractional components of natural organic matter (NOM) and membranes. Analysis of the fouling rate in function of molecular weight of NOM. The high-aromatic hydrophobic acids fractions caused significant flux decline. Small molecules and accumulation of colloids within the membrane pore structure also affected the flux decline caused by the hydrophilic neutral compounds.