In situ real-time investigations on adsorptive membrane fouling by thermomechanical pulping process water with quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D)
Rudolph G, Hermansson A, Jönsson A and Lipnizki F
Separation and Purification Technology 254: 117578
Sweden
In this study, quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) was used to study adsorptive fouling in situ. By using QCM-D, the development of fouling over time can be studied. Fouling of three fractions of a thermomechanical pulping process water (feed, microfiltration retentate and permeate) were studied on QCM-D sensors coated with a polymer used in commercial polysulfone membranes. The retentate contained mainly colloidal extractives and the permeate hemicelluloses. In the case of the retentate, adsorption was almost immediate and the greatest increase in mass was observed. In case of the permeate, the increase in mass was slowest but at steady state the adsorbed mass was similar to the adsorbed mass of the process water. After rinsing with water, an irreversibly attached network of hemicelluloses remained on the polymer surface while the colloidal extractives were washed away. Overall, the study shows that in situ real-time monitoring of adsorptive membrane fouling combined with additional ex situ analysis generates valuable understanding on the evolution of membrane fouling in lignocellulosic biorefineries.
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