Industrial water guide
Membrane Fouling
Particulate, organic, biological and scaling mechanisms that reduce membrane performance.
Water-system note: treatment requirements depend on source water, intended use, equipment, permits and local rules. Real systems require qualified design, operation and laboratory verification.
What this topic covers
Particulate, organic, biological and scaling mechanisms that reduce membrane performance.
Core water-treatment ideas
Fouling increases resistance and can change permeate quality or required pressure.
Different fouling mechanisms may occur simultaneously.
Trends in flow, rejection and pressure help identify changing membrane condition.
Important limits
MF/UF and NF/RO address different size ranges and dissolved-contaminant problems.
What to monitor
Pretreatment, fouling, integrity and concentrate management are core lifecycle issues.
Lifecycle perspective
High-pressure membrane operation and cleaning require manufacturer and professional procedures.