The impact of surface forces on particle flow and pore blocking in the microfiltration of metalworking fluids

Microfiltration is an in-process recycling method that shows great potential to extend fluid life and reduce bacterial concentrations in synthetic and semi-synthetic metalworking fluids (MWFs). The primary problem facing this use of microfiltration is membrane fouling, which is the blocking of membrane pores causing reduced flux. In this paper a fluid dynamic model of partial and complete blocking in sintered alumina membranes is developed that includes hydrodynamic, electrostatic, and Brownian forces. Model simulations are employed to study the impact of electrostatic and Brownian motion forces on the progression of partial blocking. The simulations also examine the effects of fluid velocity, particle size, and particle surface potential. The inclusion of electrostatic and Brownian forces is shown to significantly impact the progression of the partial blocking mechanism. The addition of a strong inter-particle electrostatic force is shown to eliminate the partial blocking build-up of small particles due to the presence of the repulsive forces between the particles. As a result, the time to complete blocking of the test pore was lengthened, suggesting that flux decline is reduced in the presence of electrostatic forces. Brownian motion is shown to have a large impact at low fluid velocities. The most effective parameter set is a low fluid velocity, small particle sizes, high microemulsion surface potential, and high membrane surface potential.