The influence of pH on the cross-flow microfiltration of dispersions using ceramic membranes

Abstract

The influence of particle size and zeta-ponetential of particles and membrane surface with change of pH on permeate flux during the microfiltration of model dispersitions on tubular ceramic membranes has been studied. The experiments include basic characteristics of aluminia tubular membranes and model dispersions (aqueous titania dispersions). The description of the experimental system is also presented. The results of the experiments show that zeta-potential of membrane surface as well as of particle have impact on the permeate flux. This phenomenon is especially pronounced during the microfiltration of dispersion in isoelectric point, when permeate flux was nearly threefold in comparison with microfiltration of untreated dispersion.