Changes in Tubular PVDF Membrane Performance During Initial Period of Pilot Plant Operation

Ultrafiltration (UF) is increasingly used in the food industry and for wastewater treatment and water reuse. Knowledge of the membrane properties that stabilise during the initial period of module operation in an industrial plant is essential for design purposes. This paper presents the experimental tests carried out using a pilot plant with an industrial PCI B1 membrane module. The module was equipped with tubular FP100 (100 kDa) polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes used to separate carwash wastewater. The effect of membrane compaction during the first few days of the process on changes in permeate flux and dextran (40-500 kDa) separation rate was investigated. The effect of fouling, membrane washing with P3 Ultrasill 11 solution (pH = 12) and maintenance with sodium metabisulfite solution on the stabilisation of the technological performance of the plant was determined.