THE EFFECT OF PROTEIN FOULING IN MICROFILTRATION AND ULTRAFILTRATION ON PERMEATE FLUX, PROTEIN RETENTION AND SELECTIVITY - A LITERATURE-REVIEW

The application of ultrafiltration and microfiltration to protein solu tions is hindered by membrane fouling that results in a decrease in th e permeate flux and protein transmission with time. This review descri bes the evidence for fouling both on the membrane surface and within t he membrane pores. The effect of the feed properties, membrane propert ies and the operating conditions on membrane behaviour and fouling are discussed. In ultrafiltration, fouling occurs predominantly on the me mbrane surface where the dynamic membrane controls membrane behaviour. In microfiltration, severe pore plugging by protein occurs, in spite of the pores being an order of magnitude larger than the protein.