93 Erhan Mustafa, et al. Performance Evaluation of Polymeric Membrane Permeability Characteristics Using Different Aqueous Solutions Quality of Life (2021) 12(3-4):93-103 DOI: 10.7251/QOL2103093M UDC: 678.01:541.66]:621.774 Original scientifc paper Performance Evaluation of Polymeric Membrane Permeability Characteristics Using Different Aqueous Solutions Erhan Mustafa, KaterinaAtkovska, Stefan Kuvendziev, Mirko Marinkovski, Kiril Lisichkov Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, erhanmustafa1978@gmail.com ABSTRACT: In the last decade the application of membrane separation technology is more increasing. The mem- brane in water purifcation and wastewater treatment is essential separation process used for water reclamation. The production of new membrane types with diferent permeable characteristics and performances allows them to be ftted in diferent membrane modules that can be used in the membrane fltration. The water characteristics are important for the membrane performance. It can seriously afect the permeability charac- teristics and increase the fouling on the membrane surface. In wastewater treatment, the characteristics of the aqueous infuent can reduce the permeability of the membrane and the process efciency of the membrane bioreactor (MBR). The aim of this paper is to explore the efect of diferent aqueous solutions on membrane permeability using dead end fltration process. For this purpose, NaCl solution with diferent concentration were prepared and the efect of the concentration polarization on the membrane was observed. The constructed membrane module was also tested with real water sample and the membrane permeability was analyzed. In this experiment a polymeric membrane produced from polyether sulphonate (PES), with diameter of 5.0 cm and pore size of 0.04 µm was assembled in a constructed module for dead-end fltration. The module was constructed in a way that would allow turbulence of the solution on the membrane surface. The following working parameters were examined: transmembrane pressure (TMP), the types of solutions, the working temperature, and the infuence of agi- tation on the feeding to the specifc membrane fux and permeability. The results showed that the membrane perme- ability is afected by the water organic and inorganic constituents and in the process of design of membrane reactor for wastewater treatment, the water composition should be taken in consideration. Keywords: membrane permeability, PES, dead-end fltration module, TMP INTRODUCTION The need for clean water is increasing every day. The pollution of a water resources and need for treatment is important key driving factor for development of new purifcation technologies. The ul- trafltration process uses a membrane as a selective barrier (Abdessemedet al. 2000). The pore size can be in range of 0.01 µm to 0.1. µm (Fane et al. 2010). Choosing the right membrane confguration and its material is crucial for each application, since it depends on obtaining good separation and yields. Ultrafltration (UF) membranes have been challenged to maintain their fux stability (Bolton et al. 2006). The UF membranes can be used in wastewater treatment, constructed in a way to be integrated in a membrane bioreactor (MBR). The MBR is a novel approach in producing efuent with superb quality. But one of the main problems of this technology is that UF membrane is prone to severe fux decline (Boerlage et al. 2002; Jin et al. 2015). The main reason for the membrane fux decline canbe connected to accumulation of organic material on the membrane surface or the efects of inorganic constituents and concentration polarization of the membrane surface (Brauns et al. 2002). In addi- tion, due to fouling impact and maintaining constant fux of the permeate, the operational pressure is