A Conductive Microfiltration Membrane for In Situ Fouling Detection: Proof‐of‐Concept Using Model Wine Solutions

Abstract Cross‐flow microfiltration, using a microporous membrane, is a well‐established technique for wine clarification in oenology because of its cost‐effectiveness and high‐throughput. However, membrane fouling remains a significant issue for wine filtration in high‐throughput systems. Herein, an approach for in situ real‐time monitoring of fouling in filtration systems using a conductive filtration membrane and a model fluid for filtration is reported. The membrane is fabricated by embedding poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) into an electrospun sulfonated polystyrene‐ block ‐poly(ethylene‐ ran ‐butylene)‐ block ‐polystyrene microporous membrane, producing a conductive microfiltration membrane. Measurement of the resistance of the conductive membrane during filtration with the fouling solutions containing pectin, as one of the major foulants in unfiltered wine and pre‐fermentation grape juice, shows a time‐ and concentration‐dependent response. This work opens a door to new methodology for in situ monitoring of fouling processes in wine and juice filtration systems.