Experimental Evaluation of a Novel Backflush Controller for Immersed Membrane Systems

Authors

  • L. Erdei Faculty of Engineering, University of Technology, Sydney, P. O. Box 123, 1 Broadway, NSW 2007, AUSTRALIA
  • S. Vigneswaran Faculty of Engineering, University of Technology, Sydney, P. O. Box 123, 1 Broadway, NSW 2007, AUSTRALIA
  • P. J. Smith Faculty of Engineering, University of Technology, Sydney, P. O. Box 123, 1 Broadway, NSW 2007, AUSTRALIA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11113/amst.v4i1.41

Abstract

Membrane backflush with air or permeate is commonly employed to reduce fouling in immersed micro– and ultrafiltration (MF/UF). Membrane plants traditionally rely on simple timer control automation to initiate periodic backflushes for membrane cleaning. In this study, a closed–loop (feedback) type backflush controller was evaluated experimentally with a bench–scale hollow fibre immersed MF/UF membrane – flocculation hybrid system.

The controller showed an unexpected behaviour at low fouling rates, which was manifested in significantly varying filtration periods. The investigation identified the cause in the use of a constant stabilisation lag parameter.The role of this control parameter was to determine the reversible component of fouling in real–time, which is a difficult problem in transient flow conditions that characterise the start of filtration periods. The resulting error became significant at low fouling rates and impaired effective control.

Based on this insight, we propose alternative, more robust control parameters, which can provide improved backwash control solutions for MF/UF membrane applications.

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Published

2017-11-20

How to Cite

Erdei, L., Vigneswaran, S., & Smith, P. J. (2017). Experimental Evaluation of a Novel Backflush Controller for Immersed Membrane Systems. Journal of Applied Membrane Science & Technology, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.11113/amst.v4i1.41

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 1: December 2006

Section

Articles

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Copyright of articles that appear in Journal of Applied Membrane Science & Technology belongs exclusively to Penerbit Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (Penerbit UTM Press). This copyright covers the rights to reproduce the article, including reprints, electronic reproductions, or any other reproductions of similar nature.