Based on numerical simulation

the flow field characteristics of integrated coagulation-membrane filtration process were investigated at different aeration intensities and module packing densities. According to the flocculation kinetics theory

the micro-vortex scale was introduced to analyze the flow field state. It was used to evaluate the effect of aeration intensity on flocs formation and membrane cleaning during the cleaning process. The simulation results were validated experimentally by the real-time imaging technology. When module packing density and air-water ratio were 7.38% and 15:1 respectively

mean effective energy consumption was moderate and vortex scale was sufficiently large. Moreover

under such conditions damage of flocs was not obvious

meaning that larger vortex was conducive to flocs formation. Meanwhile

a strong shear speed generated by the field near the membrane module was beneficial to membrane cleaning and hindered flocs breakage. Combining with experiment analysis

when module packing density and air-water ratio were 7.38% and 15:1 respectively

the size of flocs particle formed in the experiment was the largest

close to the micro eddy scale obtained from numerical simulation. The values of UV254 and TOC were minimum and flocculation effect was the best.