Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 21, 2026

Microfluidic Devices for Characterizing Pore-scale Event Processes in Porous Media for Oil Recovery Applications
Published on: January 16, 2018
Investigating fouling at the pore-scale using a microfluidic membrane mimic filtration system
Nandini Debnath1, Aloke Kumar2, Thomas Thundat3,4
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, 10-367 Donadeo Innovation Centre for Engineering, Advanced Water Research Lab (AWRL), University of Alberta, Edmonton, T6G 1H9, Canada.
Abstract:
The work investigates fouling in a microfluidic membrane mimic (MMM) filtration system for foulants such as polystyrene particles and large polymeric molecules. Our MMM device consists of a staggered arrangement of pillars which enables real-time visualization and analysis of pore-scale phenomena. Different fouling scenarios are investigated by conducting constant-pressure experiments. Fouling experiments are performed with three different types of foulants: polystyrene particle solution (colloidal fouling), polyacrylamide polymer solution (organic fouling) and a mixture of these two solutions (combined fouling). Four major categories of microscopic fouling are observed: cake filtration (upstream), pore blocking (inside the pores), colloidal aggregation (downstream) and colloidal streamer fouling (downstream). Our microfluidic experiments show that downstream colloidal aggregation and streamer fouling have a significant effect on overall membrane fouling which were not studied before.
Related Concept Videos
Filtration and Urine Formation
Glomerular Filtration: Net Filtration Pressure
GBHP, with an average value of 55 mmHg, promotes filtration by pushing water and solutes through the filtration membrane. This is balanced by two opposing forces: CHP, a "back pressure" exerted against the filtration membrane by fluid already in the capsular space and renal...
Filtration
Glomerular Filtration
Components of the Filtration Membrane
The filtration process involves three key layers: the glomerular endothelial cells, the basement membrane, and the podocyte-formed filtration slits.
pH Scale
Pore Size Distribution
Adequate...

