Influence of a swirl motion on the interaction between microalgal cells and environmental medium during ultrafiltration of a culture of Tetraselmis suecica

The role of the environmental medium of a marine microalga culture (Tetrase lmis suecica) in membrane fouling phenomenon is quantified for two ultrafil tration units: one generating a classical tangential plane flow and another involving a swirling decaying flow induced by a tangential inlet. Compared to the plane unit, the swirling configuration increases the performances o f the ultrafiltration process (augmentation of 20% in terms of limiting flu x). Interactions between the culture medium and cells depend on the module design. Furthermore, experiments emphasize the significant role of the part icles whatever the module design: more than 70% of the total hydraulic resi stance could be due to the microalgal cells, while about 30% of membrane fo uling is relevant to soluble materials.