Electric field enhanced crossflow microfiltration of hydrophobically modified water soluble polymers

Electric field enhanced crossflow microfiltration of a hydrophobically modified water soluble polymer (HMWSP) is studied. HMWSPs have chemical structures which are similar to the structure of surfactants. The application of the electric field results in permeate flux and rejection enhancements compared with the no electric case. At an electric field strength of 167 V/cm, the individual enhancements in permeate flux and pseudo-gel concentration (C-g(*)) and reduction in permeate polymer concentration can be as high as ten-fold. The mechanisms of concentration polarisation and solute rejection for HMWSP are significantly different than those encountered in surfactant dispersions. In the present case, the gel layer does not act as a secondary membrane.