I remember being told by a BP membrane researcher in 1990 that membrane flux needed to be very low to minimise fouling. In fact, impractically low. To avoid particle fouling mechanisms, the trans-membrane pressure needed to be less than 0.05 […]
Continue readingThe Lessons of History
I have been involved in membranes since starting work in 1981 at BP Research. For the first few years, membrane filtration made no impact in water treatment. However, the efforts of Memcor, Aquasource, and Xflow meant that by the end […]
Continue readingProspects for Water Reuse and the Semmelweis reflex
Since the advent of Covid 19, we all know it’s a good idea to wash our hands. In 1840, a Hungarian medic called Semmelweis noticed that mortality rates on two seemingly identical maternity wards were three times higher for the […]
Continue readingThe Trouble-shooter’s Art
It’s a truism to say that membrane filtration systems are prone to fouling. It’s the Achilles heel of the industry. The result is that fouling will impact either flux/capacity, or integrity/life, or both. In my early days in the membrane […]
Continue readingA New Year’s Resolution Kept – Eventually!
We all have the best of intentions at the start of the New Year, but we don’t always have the follow through. After 15 years as an independent consultant, I decided that it was time to give my web site […]
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