Particle size analysis is carried out to investigate the flux enhancement of the coagulation-crossflow microfiltration process. Generally, in the coagulation-crossflow microfiltration process, the aggregated particles are broken out by crossflow velocity before entering the membrane. But, the re-aggregation of particles that are once broken out occurs near the membrane surface and it causes the flux enhancement. The re-aggregation of particles occurs because of low velocity and high probability of aggregation near the membrane surface. The re-aggregation effect of particles that are once broken out is smaller than first aggregation effect in the same condition. Therefore, it may be recommended that the coagulant is added just before the membrane inlet to minimize being broken out by crossflow velocity and to maximize the coagulation effect on the flux enhancement in the coagulation-crossflow microfiltration process.
The effect of coagulation on cake formation is larger than that of crossflow velocity, and in the high crossflow velocity with coagulation, the reduction of cake is larger than other conditions.
