A new high-pressure optical membrane module for direct observation of seawater RO membrane fouling and cleaning

The role of cell-surface interactions in bacterial initial adhesion and consequent biofilm formation on nanofiltration/reverse osmosis membranes

“…permeate flux) a higher deposition of cells on the membrane surface occurred compared to deposition without permeate flux due to the convective flux towards the membrane. A subsequent study from the same group [121], showed that bacterial deposition on an RO membrane was higher at a permeate velocity of 7.17 µm/s compared to 4.9 µm/s with all other conditions identical.…”

“…In a direct measurement of bacterial deposition rate, Huang et al [121] investigated the effect of the presence of a standard plastic mesh spacer. Bacterial deposition was enhanced directly on the membrane between spacer filaments.…”

A review on fouling of membrane distillation

“…One of the factors that can further substantiate MD fouling model theories is the usage of real-time monitoring and detail membrane autopsy as discussed in the following section. In this regard, real-time fouling detection by noninvasive, in situ, and rigorous quantification during the membrane operation is pertinent to substantiate current theories and models on fouling development [69][70][71][72][73]. Immediate fouling detection can ensure a more accurate prediction of the membrane fouling as well as the restoration of the membrane.…”

Interrelated Analysis of Performance and Fouling Behaviors in Forward Osmosis by Ex-Situ Membrane Characterizations

“…In-situ monitoring techniques are to be used for analysing the membrane fouling comprising concentration polarization and cake formation, and are evaluated as an annotation tool in understanding the fouling characteristics (Huang et al, 2010). The most widely used techniques for in situ monitoring of concentration polarization are light deflection techniques (shadowgraphy and refractometry), magnetic resonance imaging, radio isotope labeling, electron diode array microscope, and direct pressure measurements.…”

“…Whereas, the fouling analyses based on particle deposition or cake layer formation can be carried out by the techniques such as laser triangulometry, optical laser sensor, ultrasonic time-domain reflectometry, electrical impedance spectroscopy, and small-angle neutron scattering (Chen et al, 2004). The main advantage of monitoring-based techniques over traditional lab-scale systems is the ability to visually observe what really happens on the membrane surface simultaneously in realtime (Huang et al, 2010). Ex-situ fouling and scaling detectors are utilized as another important means for understanding of fouling-performance relationships.…”