Particle fouling in submerged microfiltration membranes: effects of hollow-fiber length and aeration rate

The effects of fiber length and aeration rate on permeate flux decline in tests of a single, submerged, hollow-fiber microfiltration at constant pressure are presented. Without aeration, the initial permeate flux was greater for shorter fiber length (0.3 vs. 0.7 vs. 1 m) at a relatively low feed concentration of bentonite particles (0.1 g/L). However, the same pseudo-steady state in permeate flux was eventually reached for all three fiber lengths as fouling progressed. The fouling rate was greatly reduced by aeration rate for all three fiber lengths. However, the effect was larger as fiber length became shorter.