RESUMEN

Foulants responsible for hydraulic irreversible fouling in Dongjiang River water were identified by ultrafiltration process and their removal by powdered activated carbon (PAC) adsorption treatment was investigated using fluorescent excitation emission matrix and parallel factor analysis (EEM-PARAFAC). A correlation analysis was then carried out for samples between the maximum fluorescence intensities (Fmax) of three PARAFAC components after PAC adsorption and the surface properties of corresponding PAC samples. The results showed that two humic-like (C1 and C3) and one tryptophan-like fluorescent components were obtained through PARAFAC analysis, in which tryptophan-like component C2 was found to be the main substance in hydraulic irreversible foulants extracted from fouled membrane. Furthermore, the results of correlation analysis suggested that microspore area of PAC correlated with PAC adsorption of tryptophan-like fluorescent components, which played an important role in irreversible fouling. Both BET and mesopore+macropore area of PAC correlated with its adsorption of humic-like fluorescent components. The result provided support for selecting PAC in PAC-ultrafiltration hybrid process, which would be more effective for fouling control.