Combined effect of periodic backwashing and forward flushing on fouling mitigation in a pressurized UF membrane process for high turbid surface water treatment

The present study highlights the effect of the periodical cleaning by backwashing and forward flushing, on fouling mitigation in a pressurized ultrafiltration (UF) membrane process treating high turbid surface water. The results showed that coupling backwashing and forward flushing has a better effect on membrane permeability recovery than applying only one cleaning technique. Moreover, during periodical cleaning, starting by backwashing followed by forward flushing would allow a better membrane recovery. A cake formation model was used to simulate the global trend of the relative membrane permeability. The modelling study enabled to quantify the effect of different cleaning strategy on fouling mitigation.