Direct membrane heating for temperature induced fouling prevention

Particle deposition and fouling mainly hamper the applicability of porous membranes in filtration applications. Temperature has rarely been investigated or even used to manipulate deposition behavior at membranes and to increase membrane performances although strongly affecting the transport phenomena in and at membrane surfaces. Temperature modulates the hydrodynamic properties, the interaction between solutes and surfaces, and the molecular structure of particles. In this study, we present a novel approach to influence membrane performances and particle deposition by direct membrane heating.