Abstract Side-stream tubular membranes are largely used to perform cross-flow microfiltration of fruit juices. However, this configuration presents well-known drawbacks (e.g. energy consumption). Immersed membranes configurations have been developed in many fields to overcome these disadvantages. This paper investigates for the first time the possibility of using immersed configuration for fruit juices microfiltration. Firstly, a lab-scale methodology was adopted to characterize the fouling propensity of the juice, while studying the impact of transmembrane pressure, membrane material and the role of large particles on the juice fouling behavior. Secondly, pilot-scale experiments were performed to identify the optimal operating conditions for both configurations. Both lab-scale and pilot-scale experiments suggested that the operating conditions of immersed configuration (no removal of large particles, low pressure and organic membranes) could be suitable to perform juice microfiltration. The optimal permeate flux of immersed configuration was in accordance with the ones reported in other fields. A productivity similar to the one related to side-stream configuration might be obtained through an increase of the filtration surface, made possible by the great packing density and low membrane cost related to immersed configuration. These findings offer new application for immersed membrane configuration in the microfiltration of delicate fruit juices.

中文翻译：

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浸入式中空纤维膜在果汁微滤中的新前景：以葡萄柚汁为例

摘要 侧流管式膜主要用于果汁的错流微滤。然而，这种配置存在众所周知的缺点（例如能耗）。许多领域已经开发出浸入式膜结构以克服这些缺点。本文首次研究了使用浸入式配置进行果汁微滤的可能性。首先，采用实验室规模的方法来表征果汁的污染倾向，同时研究跨膜压力、膜材料和大颗粒对果汁污染行为的影响。其次，进行了中试规模的实验，以确定两种配置的最佳操作条件。实验室规模和中试规模的实验表明，浸入式配置（不去除大颗粒、低压和有机膜）的操作条件适合进行果汁微滤。浸入式配置的最佳渗透通量与其他领域报道的一致。通过增加过滤表面可以获得与侧流配置相关的生产率，这可能是由于与浸入式配置相关的高填充密度和低膜成本。这些发现为浸入式膜结构在精细果汁的微滤中提供了新的应用。浸入式配置的最佳渗透通量与其他领域报道的一致。通过增加过滤表面可以获得与侧流配置相关的生产率，这可能是由于与浸入式配置相关的高填充密度和低膜成本。这些发现为浸入式膜结构在精细果汁的微滤中提供了新的应用。浸入式配置的最佳渗透通量与其他领域报道的一致。通过增加过滤表面可以获得与侧流配置相关的生产率，这可能是由于与浸入式配置相关的高填充密度和低膜成本。这些发现为浸入式膜结构在精细果汁的微滤中提供了新的应用。