Investigation of Consecutive Fouling and Cleaning Cycles of Ultrafiltration Membranes Used for Whey Processing

Abstract

Abstract Development of resistance during multiple foulings and three-step Cleaning-In-Place (CIP) operations, simulating an industrial cleaning regime of polysulfone ultrafiltration membranes, was investigated. The study explored how trans-membrane pressure (150 and 300 kPa) and feed protein concentration (0.9 and 10%) influenced resistance reduction during filtration and flux recovery by the cleaning procedures. New membranes, pre-cleaned with a full CIP cycle, were used for each experiment. Subsequent fouling (simulating production) and CIP were done three times in a row and the development of fouling layer resistance was monitored and evaluated. Results show that filtration performance decreased during the first days of usage, possibly related to build-up of internal fouling. Cleaning success based on flux recovery was negatively influenced by a high protein concentration in the feed, but independent of the trans-membrane pressure during filtration.