A microfluidic system for studying particle deposition during ultrafiltration

Abstract

A significant limitation in the application of membrane filtration is fouling caused by particle deposition. To better understand the key mechanisms of particle deposition, a microfluidic filtration system was developed that combined confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM) and a dual syringe pump flow control setup. It has been used successfully to visualize in real-time and quantify the deposition of latex particles (0.4 µm) onto membranes during cross-flow ultrafiltration at two different KCl concentrations (0.01 M and 1 M). Particle deposition was initially present on the membrane as individual particles, which when deposited, acted as seeds for further particle deposition for both KCl ..