Investigation of Membrane De-clogging Techniques in the Submerged Membrane Filtration Adsorption Hybrid System (SMFAHS)

Membrane clogging is a major obstacle to the successful operation of the membrane separation process. A submerged hollow fibre membrane with powdered activated carbon (PAC) adsorption (adsorption-membrane hybrid system) was used for the removal of organics from a synthetic wastewater representative of biologically treated sewage e.fJluent. PAC usage successfully adsorbs the majority of the organics, and then the organic laden PAC is separated by the membrane reducing the direct organic loading to the membrane. However, membrane clogging still occurs.