A combined fouling model to describe the influence of the electrostatic environment on the cross-flow microfiltration of BSA

In this paper, the influence of pH in the 3-9 interval and NaCl concentration up to 25 mM on the cross-flow microfiltration of BSA was studied. A tubular ceramic membrane with a mean pore size of 0.14 mu m was employed. The evolution of permeate flow and BSA transmission with time was determined at 30 degrees C, a cross-flow velocity of 3.28 m/s and a transmembrane pressure of 100 kPa. The flow data were discussed by means of combination of two fouling mechanisms: complete and standard blocking when transmission of proteins occurred and complete blocking and cake formations otherwise. The effective radius of the protein and the electrostatic interactions protein-membrane explained the transmission protein values. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.