Optimum pretreatment is critical to sustainable operation of microfiltration
systems. In this study, the potential of microfiltration membrane fouling by common
polymer flocculants was evaluated. The effects of molecular characteristics of the
polymer flocculant, membrane material, solution condition and polymer dosage were
investigated. The interaction between the polymers and the membrane depends strongly
on the molecular size and charge of the polymer. Large, positively charged polymers
caused the most fouling. The effect of pH on polymer fouling of the membrane is
explained by its impact on the charge and size of the polymer molecule, as well as the
surface charge of the membrane. Includes 8 references, tables, figures.