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SYNOPSISUltrafiltration membranes were prepared from mixtures of poly (phenyl sulfone) ( Radel R5000) and poly(viny1 pyrrolidone) (PVP) dissolved in 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP) .The effects of the casting solution composition on membrane performance and morphology are presented. Radel R5000 membranes showed higher productivity for a given pore size when compared to other polysulfone membranes. The biphenyl group in Radel R5000 makes it more rigid in comparison to other polysulfones. This may result in more ordered packing, which resulted in the higher productivities and smaller pore sizes observed in the membranes.

The compatibility of a wide range of membrane materials with a pulp mill effluent was evaluated with respect to adsorptive fouling. Membranes were initially evaluated by their pure water permeability and separation characteristics with a polyethylene glycol test solute. These membrane coupons were contacted with a pulp mill effluent sample at 50°C in the absence of a transmembrane pressure for 3 h and then recharacterized. The change in the separation and permeation was interpreted as changes in the average pore size and the ratio of the number of pores to the effective pore length (n/AxA) of the membrane. A decreasing pore size indicated the formation of an adsorbed fouling layer. An increased n/AxA ratio suggested that adsorption occurred on the membrane surface rather than in the pores.

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