LAUSR

In this study, the effects of ultrasound (US) with carbonated feed were studied on ultrafiltration flux enhancement and membrane hydrodynamic resistances. A cross flow ultrafiltration of cherry concentrate was performed under US at 37 and 80 kHz with carbonated feed and noncarbonated feed, within the flat-sheet membrane module. Although, the US degassed the carbonated feed within the module, but no membrane cleaning effect was observed for the US with carbonated feed. Results showed that 37 kHz of US increases the permeation flux higher than 80 kHz, The lowest fouling resistance was obtained for gas bubbling by carbonated feed under 80 kHz, although there was no significant difference between 37 kHz and gas bubbling under 80 kHz. Practical Applications The most important limitation of ultrafiltration is flux decline during processing. Flux decline caused to higher operation cost and decrease the performance of separation. Using the ultrasound (US) treatment at low frequency (37 kHz) and carbonated feed with US at high frequency (80 kHz) can improve the flux permeation significantly. This technique can be applied to ultrafiltration to postpone the fouling and flux decline.