Estimation of Filtration Behavior Based on Simplified Evaluation of Membrane Fouling Characteristics

We propose a method of estimating the overall behavior of filtration using the fouling index obtained from limited membrane filtration data. The blocking index and plugging constant required for estimating filtration behavior were determined from the fouling mechanism index (FMI) with the aid of the blocking filtration law. The calculated data of the variation over time of the flux decline using the blocking index, plugging constant, and membrane properties were in reasonable agreement with experimental data. It was confirmed that this method can be widely applied to estimate membrane filtration behavior regardless of filtration conditions, such as sample concentration and the type of membrane, and fouling mechanisms, such as membrane pore blocking and cake formation. The calculated data of filtration behavior obtained from the membrane properties and FMI are useful because they can be used to determine the timing of membrane cleaning and membrane replacement.