Ultrasound enhancement of microfiltration performance for natural organic matter removal

Gray, Stephen R, Tran, Thuy, Bolto, Brian, Farmer, Tony D and Collings, Tony F (2007) Ultrasound enhancement of microfiltration performance for natural organic matter removal. Organic Geochemistry, 38 (7). pp. 1091-1096.

Abstract

Sonication of water at 1500 W power prior to microfiltration showed that short sonication times (60 s) gave a reduced flux decline. It is suggested that a less potent, smaller molecular form of the natural organic matter (NOM) was produced by sonication. Longer sonication times diminished this beneficial effect. This may be due to the formation of aggregates or compounds that are more readily adsorbed on the membrane. Where the sonication was preceded by an alum treatment, the flux loss showed a regular decrease with longer sonication times. It is suggested that the effects of sonication on the alum flocs and on the flocs; NOM interactions may play a critical role in regulating the flux. Where sand was present on sonication at 800 and 1400 W, the cavitational energy was focussed on adsorbed organic material, resulting in more efficient destruction and the formation of compounds that counteracted the flux enhancement.

Item type Article
URI https://vuir.vu.edu.au/id/eprint/2034
Subjects Historical > RFCD Classification > 290000 Engineering and Technology
Historical > Faculty/School/Research Centre/Department > School of Engineering and Science
Keywords natural organic matter, ultrasonication, microfiltration, flux, fouling
Citations in Scopus 12 - View on Scopus
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