Influence of water type and pretreatment method on fouling and performance of an Al2O3 microfiltration membrane Original Research Article

The trans membrane pressure (TMP) increase due to fouling of an Al2O3 microfiltration (MF) membrane by particles and natural organic matter in different water types is studied. Removal of non-purgeable organic carbon (NPOC), turbidity and UV extinction by MF was found to be about < 10% for water with a very low turbidity (0.14 FNU). For water with a more representative turbidity (3.6–12 FNU) and varying NPOC level (3 or 15 mg/L), removal rates were comparable to literature values: 23% for NPOC and UV, and > 98% for turbidity. The TMP increase due to irreversible fouling is mostly determined by the presence of particles, whereas the amount of NPOC appears to be irrelevant. NPOC seems to be responsible for reversible fouling that can be removed by backwashing.