A new composite model of the membrane cleaning for predicting the fouling resistance in the hydraulic cleaning process

A composite model of the membrane cleaning was proposed for considering the irreversible process (swelling process) and the reversible process (dissolution and deposition processes). This model has been developed by considering the mass variation of the foulants at different stages (swelling, dissolution and deposition). It can be used to predict the instantaneous fouling resistance in the hydraulic cleaning process. The effect of the interaction energy (between foulants and the membrane) on the model parameters (swelling, dissolution and deposition rate constants of foulants) was systematically investigated. The results showed that the model predictions were in good agreement with experimental data (R2>0.9900). Its corresponding accuracy (σ = 0.92%) was higher than that of Matzinos's model (σ = 3.56%) and Wang's model (σ = 4.39%). Meanwhile, the smaller attractive interaction energy (2.01 × 103kT) results in the larger swelling and dissolution rate constants, and benefits to reach a higher flux recovery rate (90%). In addition, the proposed model also can use to select the optimum cleaning condition for the hydraulic cleaning process.