During long-term operation, the physical-chemical properties of high-pressure membrane
surface can change as a result of membrane fouling, including surface charge,
hydrophobicity, pore size and functionality. Bench-scale cross-flow flat sheet membrane
units were employed for membrane fouling and rejection tests to examine the transport
of non-ionic trace organic pollutants through virgin and fouled membranes. The rejection
behavior of non-ionic compounds changed significantly as a result of membrane fouling.
A time-dependent rejection trend was observed for virgin membrane specimens but was
not remarkable for fouled membranes. Membrane fouling resulted in an increased
rejection of non-ionic compounds and the rejection remained relatively constant over
time. The fouling layer increased the size exclusion effect and eliminated the adsorption,
partition and diffusion of hydrophobic non-ionic solutes through the membrane. Includes 10 references, table, figures.