Designation: D8002 − 15

Standard Test Method for

Modified Fouling Index (MFI-0.45) of Water1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D8002; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope nologies for Measurement of Turbidity in Water

1.1 This test method covers the determination of the modi- 3. Terminology
fied fouling index (MFI) of water measured at constant
3.1 Definitions:
pressure. This test can be used to indicate the fouling potential
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this standard, refer to
of reverse osmosis/nanofiltration (RO/NF) feed water due
Terminologies D1129 and D6161.
particulate matter and is applicable to low and high turbidity
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
waters. Since the size, shape, and nature of particulate matter in
3.2.1 modified fouling index, MFI-0.45, n—index calculated
water may vary, this test method is not an absolute measure-
from the development of filtration velocity through a 0.45-µm
ment of the quantity of particulate matter.
membrane filter. D2777
1.2 This test method is not applicable for reagent-grade
water Types I, II, and III of Specification D1193 or effluents 4. Summary of Test Method
from most reverse osmosis and ultra-filtration systems. 4.1 Water is passed through a 0.45-µm membrane filter at
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as constant pressure of 200 kPa and the development of the rate
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this of filtration is measured continuously.
standard. 4.2 The MFI is calculated from the obtained data of flow
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the versus time at constant pressure and temperature.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 5. Significance and Use
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
5.1 This test method is an alternative for the silt density
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
index (SDI) method (Test Method D4189) with the aim to
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
overcome inaccuracies related to a nonlinear relation with the
2. Referenced Documents fouling potential due to particulate matter concentration, ab-
sence of temperature correction, support pad, and time.
2.1 ASTM Standards:2
D1129 Terminology Relating to Water 5.2 The MFI-0.45 can serve as a useful indication of the
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water quantity of particulate matter.
D2777 Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of 5.3 The MFI-0.45 can be used to determine effectiveness of
Applicable Test Methods of Committee D19 on Water various processes such as filtration or clarification used to
D3370 Practices for Sampling Water from Closed Conduits remove particulate matter.
D4189 Test Method for Silt Density Index (SDI) of Water 5.4 The MFI-0.45 has empirically been correlated with
D6161 Terminology Used for Microfiltration, Ultrafiltration, fouling tendency of some water treatment equipment such as
Nanofiltration and Reverse Osmosis Membrane Processes reverse osmosis (RO) devices.
D7726 Guide for The Use of Various Turbidimeter Tech-
6. Apparatus
6.1 MFI Assembly—As described in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2,
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D19 on Water wetted parts should be made of high-quality stainless or plastic
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.08 on Membranes and Ion
Exchange Materials. to prevent contamination by corrosion products. Do not use
Current edition approved July 15, 2015. Published August 2015. DOI: 10.1520/ reactive materials such as carbon steel, galvanized steel, cast
D8002-15.
2
iron, and copper alloys. Suitable filter holders, designed to
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
withstand an operational gage pressure of 350 kPa, can be
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on obtained from suppliers of membrane filters. The filter holder
the ASTM website. should be equipped with a device releasing air.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

1
 D8002 − 15

NOTE 1—PI is pressure indicator; PC is pressure controller.

FIG. 1 Apparatus for Measuring MFI at Constant Pressure with a Pump

FIG. 2 Representative Apparatus for Measuring MFI at Constant Pressure with a Pressure Vessel

6.2 Membrane Filter: 6.3 Thermometer or Sensor Suitable for Measuring Tem-
6.2.1 Membrane, white hydrophilic, mixed cellulose nitrate perature of the Water Sample, capable of being read or
(50–75 %) and mixed cellulose acetate (MCE). registered 61°C.
6.2.2 Replaceable Highly Porous Foam Support Pad, to be 6.4 Electronic flow meter or mass balance.
placed on the bottom of the filter holder.
6.2.3 Mean Pore Size, 0.45 µm. 6.5 Computer or data-collecting and processing device.
6.2.4 Diameter, 47 mm. 7. Procedure
6.2.5 Thickness, 115 to 180 µm.
6.2.6 Pure Water Flow, 25 to 50 s/500 mL. 7.1 Assemble apparatus as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2
6.2.7 Pressure Difference across Membrane Filter, 200 kPa. including flow-measuring devices (electronic flow meter or
6.2.8 Bubble Point, 179 to 248 kPa. mass balance) and set the pressure regulator at 200 kPa.
6.2.9 Use only filters that are packaged in the same orien- 7.2 Before installing the membrane filter, flush the water to
tation. be tested through the apparatus to remove contaminants. For

2
 D8002 − 15
sampling, follow the procedure given in Practices D3370. dt
Discrete samples can be used with appropriate pressurizing η·I dV
b5 5 (2)
apparatus such as a pump or an air/nitrogen pressurized vessel. 2·∆P·A 2 dV

NOTE 1—The pump should be of such a design that grinding flocs will where:
not occur or be minimal. t = filtration time, s,
NOTE 2—Ensure that the sample to be tested is not super saturated with V = cumulative filtrate volume, L,
air or nitrogen. Qavg = average flow rate, t/V,
7.3 Measure the temperature of the water. η = water viscosity, Ns/m2,
I = fouling index, l/m2,
7.4 Open the membrane filter holder and place a 0.45-µm Rm = membrane resistance, l/m,
membrane filter (47 mm in diameter) on the support plate of ∆P = applied transmembrane pressure, N/m2, and
the holder. A replaceable foam support pad needs to be placed A = membrane surface area, m2.
on the support plate of the holder. Handle the membrane filter
only with dull tweezers to avoid puncturing. Avoid touching 8.3 The gradient of the line (b) has been defined as the MFI,
the membrane filter with fingers. as an index of the fouling potential of a feed water containing
particles for the fixed reference values of ∆P0 (200 kPa), η
NOTE 3—Record the manufacturer of the membrane filter and manu- (η20°C), and A0 (13.8 × 10-4 m2 equivalent to 47-mm diameter
facturer’s identification for the membrane filter. membrane filter). The term, I, represents the fouling index for
7.5 Make sure the O-ring is in good condition and properly the propensity of particles in water to form a layer with
placed. hydraulic resistance:
7.6 Replace the top of the half of the filter holder and close η 20°C ·I
MFI 5 (3)
loosely. 2·∆P 0 ·A 20
NOTE 9—MFI is expressed in units of s/L2. By doing this, the results
7.7 Bleed out air by opening the pressure relieve valve and will be in the same order of magnitude of SDI in the range 2 to 3.
open the small air relieve valve on top of the filter holder.
8.4 In conducting the MFI test, the MFI can be determined
NOTE 4—Apparatus making use of membranes of smaller diameters dt
might use a disposable membrane incorporated in a filter holder. These dV
disposables should be equipped with an air relieve device. from the gradient (b, dV ) of the linear region of minimum
7.8 Close the relieve valve and start recording flow (and slope determined in (a plot of) t/V versus V. Normalizing this
preferably pressure as well). Run the test for 30 to 60 min slope to standard conditions of temperature (Tcorr), pressure
depending on the rate of flow decline. (Pcorr), and membrane area (Acorr) yields MFI as shown in Eq
4. The MFI can also be determined from a plot of gradient over
NOTE 5—The initial flow should be within 10 % of the flow recorded time where gel filtration is observed as a minimum or stable
with nonplugging reference water. This water can be obtained by filtering
distilled water through a 0.2-µm pore size membrane filter.
MFI value depending on the length of cake filtration.
NOTE 6—If the initial flow is more than 10 % higher than with reference t t
d d
water, the filter might be cracked and a new filter should be used.
NOTE 7—The pressure shall remain at 200 6 2 kPa throughout the test.
NOTE 8—In many cases, especially when dealing with raw water, the
MFI 5 S DS DS D
η 20°C
ηT
·
∆P
∆P 0
·
A
A0
2
·
V
dV
5 ~ T corr ! · ~ P corr ! · ~ A corr ! ·
dV
V

fouling rate will plug the filters very quickly, for example, in a matter of (4)
a few minutes. A recommended time interval for data acquisition is a NOTE 10—An alternative method for calculating MFI is based on the
minimum of every 30 s. basic equation:
7.9 After completing the test, the membrane filter may be dt 1 ηR m ηI
5 5 1 V (5)
retained for future reference. dV Q ∆PA ∆PA 2
The calculated slope is two times higher than in the standard procedure;
8. Calculation consequently, in calculating MFI, this factor has to be taken into account.
This approach has the advantage that possible errors in time and flow at
8.1 In this test, fouling of a flat-sheet membrane in dead-end the start of the test will not have an influence on the calculated slope in
filtration at a constant transmembrane pressure is considered to course of the test. However, a highly accurate pressure regulator and flow
measurement device are needed to obtain desired highly accurate MFI
take place in three steps: (1) pore blocking, (2) formation of an values.
incompressible gel/cake, and (3) gel compression or increasing NOTE 11—The MFI was initially developed using 0.45 and 0.05-µm
rejection or both as a result of narrowing pores in gel. membrane referred to as MFI-0.45 and MFI-0.05. Later on, the MFI-UF
method was developed at constant pressure.
8.2 During the gel filtration period, there exists a linear
relation between resistance (here expressed as reciprocal flow
9. Report
rate at standard conditions) and cumulative filtered water
volume (V), for which the slope (b) describes the fouling 9.1 Report the following information:
tendency of a given water (Eq 1 and Eq 2). 9.1.1 The MFI, with a subscript indicating the total elapsed
t 1 ηR m ηI flow time (T) in minutes,
5 5 1 V (1)
V Q avg ∆PA 2∆PA 2 9.1.2 The water temperature before and after the test, and

3
 D8002 − 15
9.1.3 The manufacturer of the 0.45-µm membrane filter 10.5 It is the user’s responsibility to ensure the validity the
used for the test as well the manufacturer’s identification for test method for waters of untested matrices.
the membrane filter. 10.6 The accuracy and reproducibility depends further on
10. Precision, Bias, and Quality Control the accuracy of the pressure regulators applied.
10.1 The MFI test outcome is not a concentration or 10.7 In practice, MFI measurements are not performed in
equivalent concentration; although some basic items are useful duplicate; rather, the measurements are performed one or two
and achievable in the MFI (0.45) test, this does not mean that times per shift or automatically with equipment.
full QC measures typically associated with laboratory analyti- 10.8 Conducting a test with blank water is useful to verify
cal measurements will be sufficient for use with the MFI. The whether or not the equipment releases particulate matter, for
MFI gives the fouling potential of the sample for RO/NF example, corrosion products, which may result in a higher MFI
membrane systems, and the use of a standard foulant is not values. A test with pure water (for example, reverse osmosis
useful since RO/NF membranes are not/never exposed to such permeate or distillate) at least during initial of equipment use
a foulant. The fouling potential might change over time (for and thereafter once a month is recommended. A test with
example, in a couple of hours). Consequently many laboratory- artificially prepared seawater is useful if said application is for
based statistical tests are not useful in practice. Usually a very seawater purposes. In this case, pure water with sodium
limited numbers of samples are tested in a series. chloride of a concentration equivalent to the seawater to be
10.2 The filtration curve plotted as t/V versus V and dt/dV tested can be used. Both blank test should give a MFI (0.45)
versus V show usually a part that is linear suggesting that value below 0.1 s/L2.
gel/cake filtration without compression occurs. However, test- 10.9 In practice, the MFI test is a very basic, robust and
ing at a different pressure shows a clear pressure dependency stable test. Calibration and calibration verification will not be
and still shows the linear relationships. Theory confirms this required as the equipment used for the MFI (0.45) test is simple
observation. Consequently, it is recommended not to deviate and follows a basic procedure. The MFI target from membrane
from the indicated transmembrane pressure of 200 kPa. manufacturer lower or equal to 1 s/L2 is equivalent to SDI
10.3 Substantial differences have been observed in MFI target (lower or equal 3 % per min).
values between membranes of different manufacturers. The 10.10 The quality (reproducibility, accuracy, correctness) of
reasons for these observations are: differences in pore size, the obtained MFI values depend on several parameters (for
pore size distribution, surface porosity, shape of the pores, and example, pressure indicator, pressure controller, flowmeter or
membrane material. Far fewer differences have been observed mass balance). In addition, the quality of the membrane filters
between membranes of the same manufacturer and between used also impacts quality control; consequently, the pores size
different batches. Empirical correction/normalization can be and pore size distribution are important. This aspect is more or
achieved by determining the correlation between initial nor- less covered by the requirement for pure water flow namely
malized permeability (flux) and MFI. This correcting factor is 25–50 seconds per 500 ml. This is the same as for SDI (Test
most likely specific for a certain type of membrane of a specific Method D4189). Should a calibration with a standard be
manufacturer and dependent on the type of water; as a required, 1 mg/L of formazinein deionized distilled water
consequence, the correction factor (if required) should be willproduce a MFI of 15 s/L2. It gives a linear relation between
accomplished with natural water and locally. MFI and Formazine concentration up to at least MFI 250 s/L2.
NOTE 12—Typically, the higher the normalized permeability/clean Formazine solutions are “standardized” by Guide D7726.
water flux, the higher the MFI. Formazine is commercially available on the market. Solutions
10.4 Bias—The bias of this test method cannot be deter- up 4000 NTU are available (1 NTU = 1 mg Formazine/L).
mined because the test method is based upon waters of choice,
which may differ with each source, as provided for in Practice 11. Keywords
D2777. 11.1 fouling; membranes; modified fouling index; water

ASTM International takes no position respecting the validity of any patent rights asserted in connection with any item mentioned
in this standard. Users of this standard are expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such patent rights, and the risk
of infringement of such rights, are entirely their own responsibility.

This standard is subject to revision at any time by the responsible technical committee and must be reviewed every five years and
if not revised, either reapproved or withdrawn. Your comments are invited either for revision of this standard or for additional standards
and should be addressed to ASTM International Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the
responsible technical committee, which you may attend. If you feel that your comments have not received a fair hearing you should
make your views known to the ASTM Committee on Standards, at the address shown below.

This standard is copyrighted by ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959,
United States. Individual reprints (single or multiple copies) of this standard may be obtained by contacting ASTM at the above
address or at 610-832-9585 (phone), 610-832-9555 (fax), or service@astm.org (e-mail); or through the ASTM website
(www.astm.org). Permission rights to photocopy the standard may also be secured from the Copyright Clearance Center, 222
Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, Tel: (978) 646-2600; http://www.copyright.com/