In this study the performance and scaling pattern of a direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) was investigated at different feed and permeate flow velocities (v(f) and v(p)). The results indicated that both v(f) and v(p) influenced DCMD performance and scaling development. A combination setting of v(f) = 0.8 m s(-1) and v(p) = 1.1 m s(-1) resulted in a similar permeate flux as v(f) and v(p) = 1.1 m s(-1) with a 30% higher recovery ratio and 60% lower pumping energy membrane analysis demonstrated bulk crystallisation tendency at high flow velocity ranges (1.1-2.2 m s(-1)), while membrane surface crystallisation was dominant at lower flow velocities (0.5-0.8 m s(-1)). A combination setting (v(f) = 0.8 m s(-1) and v(p) = 1.1 m s(-1)) showed beneficial outcome of reduced surface crystallisation tendency. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.