A Study of Fouling in Egg-white Concentration by Ultrafiltration with Tubular Module

Polyethersulfone (PES) and cellulose acetate (CA) ultrafiltration (UF) membranes having different molecular weight cut-off values were prepared by immersion precipitation method by changing the compositions of easting solution. Egg white solution was concentrated to volume concentration ratio 4 in tubular UF with membranes made of moderately hydrophobic PES and hydrophilic CA. The process Parameters such as pressure and fluid velocity were controlled in order to apply successfully for egg white solution and to investigate the pressure dependency. The resistance values were measured to investigate the fouling and concentration polarization effect on membrane performance. During concen- tration of egg white solution by UF, the fouling layer appeared to contribute little resistance to flux compared to that of polarized layer.