Membrane Technology Group (MTG), Division cMACS, Faculty of Bio-Science Engineering, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, PO Box 2454, 3001 Leuven, Belgium.
Lab Aquatic Biology, Microbial en Molecular Systems, KU Leuven KULAK, E. Sabbelaan 53, B-8500 Kortrijk, Belgium.
Bioresour Technol. 2020 Aug;309:123367. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2020.123367. Epub 2020 Apr 11.
Membranes with a wave pattern on the membrane surface are now proposed for the first time to alleviate microalgal fouling and increase the membrane flux. The membrane morphology was observed via scanning electron microscope, and the clean water permeance, microalgae harvesting efficiency and membrane flux in a real broth were determined to investigate the effects of polysulfone (PSF) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) concentrations in the membrane casting solution. Furthermore, the influence of the height of the patterned waves and the inter-pattern distance on the fouling prevention were investigated. Higher PSF and PEG concentrations resulted in better pronounced patterns. Patterned membrane showed higher fluxes and critical pressures than the corresponding flat membranes. Larger patterns gave higher membrane fluxes and less fouling. Computational fluid dynamics simulation showed a higher velocity and shear on the pattern apexes.
现在首次提出在膜表面形成波状图案的膜，以减轻微藻污染并提高膜通量。通过扫描电子显微镜观察膜形态，测定纯水透过率、微藻收获效率和实际发酵液中的膜通量，以研究膜铸液中聚砜（PSF）和聚乙二醇（PEG）浓度的影响。此外，还研究了图案波的高度和图案间距离对防污的影响。较高的 PSF 和 PEG 浓度导致更明显的图案。与相应的平膜相比，图案膜具有更高的通量和临界压力。较大的图案可提供更高的膜通量和更少的污染。计算流体动力学模拟显示在图案顶点处具有更高的速度和剪切力。
