Fouling mechanism

• Adsorption/fouling-layer model analyzes the flux decline during RO filtration. • The model provided a qualitative appreciation of the flux decline. • The factors of filtration time and membrane flux are considered in the fouling model. • The main interfacial interaction in each fouling step was discuss

This study investigated an integrated process to treat the wastewater from an instant tea powder factory. The wastewater was pretreated by combination of coagulation–flocculation. Polyaluminum ferric chloride (PAFC) was used as the coagulating agent. The optimum operating conditions with respect to c