Fouling mechanism of PVC/Al۲O۳ nanocomposite membrane in the filtration of humic acid with and without PAC coagulant

In this study, fouling mechanism of polyvinyl chloride/alumina (PVC/Al۲O۳) nanocomposite membrane was investigated in the filtration of humic acid (HA) with and without polyaluminum chloride (PAC) coagulant in a submerged membrane system. For this purpose, the classical model (Hermia model) was used. The results showed that the PVC/Al۲O۳ membrane had the highest pure water flux (PWF) and surface roughness compared with the neat PVC membrane. The Hermia model confirmed that what describes best the experimental data for PVC nanocomposite membranes was the cake formation mechanism in the presence and absence of the PAC coagulant.