Effect of Inter-Particle Interaction on Particle Deposition in a Cross-Flow Microfilter

Recent studies show that inter-particle interaction can affect particle trajectories and particle deposition causing fouling in the microfilters used for metal working fluids (MWFs). Inter-particle interaction depends on various factors: particle geometry and surface properties, membrane pore geometry and surface properties, MWF’s properties and system operating conditions, etc. A mathematical model with a Langevin equation for particle trajectory and a hard sphere model for particle deposition has been used to study the effect of particle’s size, particle’s surface zeta potential, inter-particle distance, and shape of membrane pore wall surface on particle trajectory and its deposition on membrane pore wall. The study reveals that bigger particles have a lesser tendency to be deposited on membrane pore walls than smaller particles. The shape of the membrane pore wall surface can also affect the particle deposition behavior.