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    Impact of operation conditions, foulant adsorption, and chemical cleaning on the nanomechanical properties of ultrafiltration hollow fiber membranes

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    Authors
    Gutierrez, L.
    Keucken, A.
    Aubry, C.
    Zaouri, N.
    Teychene, B.
    Croue, Jean-Philippe
    Date
    2018
    Type
    Journal Article
    
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    Citation
    Gutierrez, L. and Keucken, A. and Aubry, C. and Zaouri, N. and Teychene, B. and Croue, J. 2018. Impact of operation conditions, foulant adsorption, and chemical cleaning on the nanomechanical properties of ultrafiltration hollow fiber membranes. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects. 549: pp. 34-42.
    Source Title
    Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects
    DOI
    10.1016/j.colsurfa.2018.04.003
    ISSN
    0927-7757
    School
    Curtin Water Quality Research Centre
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/67697
    Collection
    • Curtin Research Publications
    Abstract

    This study analyzed the change in nanomechanical properties of ultrafiltration hollow fiber membranes harvested from pilot-scale units after twelve months of operation. Quantitative Nanomechanical Mapping technique was used to distinguish between adhesion, dissipation, deformation, and modulus while simultaneously generating a topographic image of membranes. Nanomechanical maps of virgin membranes evidenced surfaces of heterogeneous properties and were described by probability density functions. Operating conditions and feed quality exerted an impact on membranes. Clean harvested membranes showed a higher mean modulus and dissipation, and a lower deformation than virgin membranes, indicating stiffer membranes of lower elastic deformation. A significant fraction of these measurements displayed peak values deviating from the distribution; which represents regions of the membrane with properties highly differing from the probability density function. The membrane polymeric material experienced severe physicochemical changes by foulant adsorption and reaction with cleaning agents. Foulant adsorption on membranes was heterogeneous in both morphology and mechanical properties and could not be statistically described. Foulants, i.e., mainly consisting of polysaccharides and proteinaceous structures, displayed low elastic deformation and high roughness and adhesion. The presence of foulants after chemical cleaning and their high adhesion would be a direct nanoscale evidence of irreversible fouling. By the end of the operation, the Trans-Membrane Pressure experienced a 40% increase. The cleaning process was not able to fully recover the initial TMP, indicating irreversible fouling, i.e., permanent change in membrane characteristics and decrease in performance. These results suggest a link between the macroscopic properties and nanomechanical characteristics of membranes. This study advances our nanoscale understanding of the impact of fouling and operating conditions on membranes characteristics.

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