The present study is part of a research program that is aimed at developing a procedure
that can be used to optimize the permeate yield for a full-scale membrane system based
on simple bench-scale tests. The present study investigates the impact of the operating
permeate flux on the evolution of the resistance offered by a submerged membrane to the
permeating liquid (i.e. increase in trans-membrane pressure).
The increase in the trans-membrane pressure observed during the present study is
governed by the operating permeate flux, the hydrodynamic conditions and the system
configuration. The increase in the trans-membrane pressure can be modeled using a
simple exponential relationship that is a function of the operating permeate flux, the
pseudo-steady-state permeate flux, which is governed by the system hydrodynamics and
configuration, and the volume of permeate filtered. Although additional work is required
to develop a comprehensive procedure that can be used to optimize the permeate yield for
a membrane system, results to date suggest that it is possible to accurately predict the
evolution of the permeate flux in a full-scale system using data collected using simple
bench-scale tests. Includes 6 references, table, figures.