Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Digital Commons Network

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Environmental Engineering

PDF

University of Central Florida

Theses/Dissertations

2013

Fouling

Articles 1 - 2 of 2

Full-Text Articles in Entire DC Network

Study Of The Effect Of Surface Morphology On Mass Transfer And Fouling Behavior Of Reverse Osmosis And Nanofiltration Membrane Processes, Yuming Fang Jan 2013

Study Of The Effect Of Surface Morphology On Mass Transfer And Fouling Behavior Of Reverse Osmosis And Nanofiltration Membrane Processes, Yuming Fang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF) membranes are pressure driven, diffusion controlled process. The influence of surface characteristics on membrane process performance is considered significant and is not well understood. Current mass transport models generally assume constant mass transfer coefficients (MTCs) based on a homogeneous surface. This work evaluated mass transfer processes by incorporating surface morphology into a diffusion-based model assuming MTCs are dependent on the thickness variation of the membrane’s active layer. To mathematically create such a surface layer, Gaussian random vectors embedded in a software system (MATLAB) were used to generate a three-dimensional ridge and valley active layer …


Assessment, Optimization, And Enhancement Of Ultrafiltration (Uf) Membrane Processes In Potable Water Treatment, Christopher Boyd Jan 2013

Assessment, Optimization, And Enhancement Of Ultrafiltration (Uf) Membrane Processes In Potable Water Treatment, Christopher Boyd

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation reports on research related to ultrafiltration (UF) membranes in drinking water applications. A pilot-scale investigation identified seasonal surface water quality impacts on UF performance and resulted in the development of a dynamic chemically enhanced backwash protocol for fouling management. Subsequent analysis of UF process data revealed limitations with the use of specific flux, transmembrane pressure (TMP), and other normalization techniques for assessing UF process fouling. A new TMP balance approach is presented that identifies the pressure contribution of membrane fouling and structural changes, enables direct process performance comparisons at different operating fluxes, and distinguishes between physically and chemically …