Modification of a hollow fiber membrane and its three-dimensional analysis of surface pores and internal structure for a water reclamation system

A modified hollow fiber membrane with organic solvents was used for a membrane separation reactor to configure a water reclamation system. Changes in the surface and inner pores of the modified follow fiber membrane were analyzed three dimensionally. The results from the operation of the membrane separation reactor with MLSS of 7200 mg/l for 120 days were compared with those from pure water. Monitoring changes in permeate flux and separation efficiency, we made an effort to predict the possibility of back wash and the breakthrough point. During the initial operation, contamination of membrane surface was increased gradually without changes in inner pores whereas a long-term operation exhibited a decrease in inner pores and a change in microfibril, suggesting that there would be a rare possibility for backwashing. As the suction pressure was raised from 1 atm to greater than 2 atm due to the increased membrane surface contamination with 40 days of operation, the permeate flux and suction pressure were required to be continuously monitored. The results of more than 100 days of operation suggested that backwashing was not possible due to fouling.