An Enzyme Approach to the Prevention and Removal of Gelatinous Films in Raw Sewage Ultrafiltration Systems.

摘要

Both the Navy and the Army have investigated shipboard wastewater treatment systems to meet marine discharge regulations. Ultrafiltration membrane technology is one method that has been evaluated. However, membrane fouling due to concentration polarization at the membrane surface affects ultrafiltration performance and accounts for the decline of the effluent (permeate) rate with time. Numerous techniques have been reported in the literature for overcoming this problem, but the potential solutions have been of a temporary nature, requiring frequent cleaning to offset the decline. Insitu removal of the fouling layer would greatly enhance ultrafiltration's effectiveness. A concept for overcoming the fouling problem, which was not previously reported, has been investigated by Rutgers University. It involves immobilizing enzymes onto ultrafiltration membranes. It was speculated that enzyme action would degrade the fouling layer as it was formed. The fouling layer produced on ultrafiltration membranes in processing raw sewage has been determined to consist of mostly proteins with a smaller amount of lipids. Candidate enzymes were evlauated for their ability to degrade this fouling layer. One enzyme, a protease, was selected for immobilization on the membranes. Immobilization was by vacuum adsorption.