膜科学与技术

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Mechanism of composite fouling and optimization of maintenance cleaning for MBR membranes

Authors： WANG Haiyang1, WANG Weihong1, LOU Qiang2, WU Yiping2

Units： 1. College of Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China; 2. Xinjiang Kunlun New Water Source Hexi Water Affairs Co., Ltd., Urumqi 830000, China

KeyWords： MBR process; membrane fouling; chemically enhanced backwash (CEB); membrane flux

ClassificationCode：TQ028； X505

year,volume(issue):pagination： 2026,46(1):96-105

Abstract：

Overcoming membrane fouling is central to ensuring the long-term, stable operation of membrane bioreactor (MBR) processes while minimizing energy consumption and operational costs. The mechanisms governing fouling regeneration and evolution following online maintenance cleaning (CEB) are particularly complex. To elucidate the fouling mechanisms in an A2/O-MBR plant in Xinjiang after four years of operation and to optimize the engineering cleaning strategy, this study systematically characterized membrane foulants using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), in-situ Raman spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Results indicated that inorganic and heavy metal foulants primarily consisted of Cd, Si, Al and As. The organic fouling comprised a gradient composite layer with a gel network of proteins, polysaccharides and lipids stabilized by a recalcitrant aromatic framework of humic-like substances. A dense residual layer of cross-linked proteins and humic acids on the membrane surface post-CEB was identified as the root cause of rapid fouling recurrence. Based on the mechanism of this composite cross-linked fouling network, a precise cleaning strategy of “oxidation-dominated, acid-assisted, high-frequency short-duration and on-demand triggering” was proposed. The optimized bench-scale protocol effectively mitigated fouling, increasing the average membrane flux by 29.0% compared to the original， and demonstrating high removal efficiency for scaling elements. This enables immediate flux enhancement and fouling control, providing theoretical and practical support for optimizing full-scale cleaning strategies.

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Funds：

新疆水利工程安全与水灾害防治重点实验室（ZDSYS-YJS-2024-08）

AuthorIntro：

汪海洋（2001-），安徽六安人，主要研究方向为水处理与污水资源化利用

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