A TECHNIQUE FOR THE STUDY OF THE FOULING OF MICROFILTRATION MEMBRANESUSING 2 MEMBRANES IN SERIES

This paper describes a technique for investigating the fouling of micr ofiltration membranes by measuring the pressure drops across two membr anes fed in series by a constant rate pump, which enables a distinctio n to be made between surface fouling and internal fouling of the membr ane. In the case of the microfiltration of BSA solutions, the techniqu e shows how the type of pump and the operating temperature influence m embrane fouling and how protein denaturation and adsorption give rise to different types of fouling. The technique is also used to investiga te the microfiltration of beer and shows how this is affected by membr ane properties and the aging of beer.