International audienceThe effects of independently varying both wall shear stress ($\tau_w$) and transmembrane pressure ($TMP$) on permeate flux and fouling during ultrafiltration of reconstituted skimmed milk in total recycle mode have been investigated. Irreversible fouling resistance ($R_{if}$) increased as $TMP$ increased. Increasing $\tau_w$ at constant $TMP$ led to an increase in both the initial flux, and subsequent flux decline, and to a decrease in $R_{if}$. At the highest $\tau_w$, increasing $TMP$ resulted in greater initial flux accompanied by increasing rates of flux decline and more irreversible fouling. Increasing and then decreasing $TMP$ in a controlled, stepwise manner at constant $\tau_w$ suggested that flux is governed by both a reversible, and an irreversible fouling layer which forms at higher $TMP$; this also controlled the transmission of protein. Critical operating conditions producing the least fouling were evaluated during this procedure
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