Identifying the rejection mechanism for nanofiltration membranes fouled by humic acid and calcium ions exemplified by acetaminophen, sulfamethoxazole, and triclosan

Abstract

This research investigated the fouling effect of humic acid and humic acid/calcium ions on the rejection of three target compounds, i.e., acetaminophen, sulfamethoxazole, and triclosan, by two nanofiltration (NF) membranes. A modified Hermia fouling model was used to describe the fouling process. The effects of solute and membrane characteristics on the rejection and flux decline at various pH levels and with various foulants were also investigated. Results show that fouling mechanisms include complete blocking and gel layer formation. The presence of humic acid and humic acid/calcium ions may positively influence the rejection of hydrophilic compounds and neutral compounds rejected only by size exclusion. The experimental rejections of solute by the NF270 membrane correlate well with the theoretical rejection model in which only size exclusion was considered. For NF membranes with pore sizes larger than the solutes (e.g., the NTR7450 membrane), the rejection could be determined from the model combining both size exclusion and electrostatic exclusion.