Characterization of foulants by autopsy of RO desalination membranes

Butt, F.H.; Rahman, Faizur; Baduruthamal, U.

doi:10.1016/s0011-9164(97)00154-9

Cited by 81 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…It has been shown that when the permeate flux is noticeably affected, the membrane is so severely fouled that restoration to its original permeability may become impossible (Tay and Song, 2006). Autopsies of fouled membranes have also been carried out in order to better understand the physico-chemical processes governing the fouling (see, for example, Butt et al, 1997;Speth et al, 1998;Sahachaiyunta et al, 2002;Vrouwenvelder and van der Kooij, 2002;Gwona et al, 2003). The methods of chemical and structural analyses used in these studies including inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), gas chromatography / mass spectrometry (GC-MS), Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) provide only the average composition of the surface deposits.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An autopsy study of a fouled reverse osmosis membrane element used in a brackish water treatment plant

et al. 2007

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The fouling of a spiral wound RO membrane after nearly one year of service in a brackish water treatment plant was investigated using optical and electron microscopic methods, FTIR and ICP-AES. Both the top surface and the cross-section of the fouled membrane were analysed to monitor the development of the fouling layer. It has been found that the extent of fouling was uneven across the membrane surface with regions underneath or in the vicinity of the strands of the feed spacer being more severely affected. The fouling appeared to have developed through different stages. In particular, it consisted of an initial thin fouling layer of an amorphous matrix with embedded particulate matter. The amorphous matrix comprised organic-Al-P complexes and the particulate matter was mostly aluminium silicates.Subsequently, as the fouling layer reached a thickness of about 5 to 7 μm, further amorphous material, which is suggested to include extracellular polymeric substances such as polysaccharides, started to deposit on top of the existing fouling layer. This secondary amorphous material did not seem to contain any particulate matter nor any inorganic elements 1 25 26 27 28 29 within it, but acted as a substrate upon which aluminium silicate crystals grew exclusively in the absence of other foulants, including natural organic matter (NOM).

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An autopsy study of a fouled reverse osmosis membrane element used in a brackish water treatment plant

et al. 2007

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“…First of all, it may be recalled that membrane manufacturer recommendations, for feed waters under conditions favoring oxidation, are that dissolved iron concentration should be less than 50 ppb. It may also be mentioned that fouling problems due to iron have been reported with NF membranes at even lower concentrations [10], and, therefore, this limit could be considered tentative. The upper limit of 20 ppb for precipitated iron obtained by the present SDI measurements is not only remarkably close to manufacturer recommendations, but also on the correct side.…”

Section: Sdi Measurementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Paasen et al [9] reported severe colloidal fouling problems in a NF pilot plant due to iron oxides although standards were met (Fe <0.3 mg/L and MFI <3 s/L 2 ). Similarly, Butt et al [10] reported severe colloidal fouling mainly due to iron and silica, which limited useful membrane life to 2 years in a commercial RO desalination plant.…”

Section: Critique Of the Sdi And Related Indicesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Colloidal fouling of RO membranes: an overview of key issues and efforts to develop improved prediction techniques

2005

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“…However, the dendrimers would form SiO 2 -PAMAM composite precipitates after a long period. Silica inhibitors can retard the polymerization of silica; Butt et al [24] proposed that phosphonate-based chemicals acted as scale inhibitors in membrane systems. In addition, scale inhibitors such as high molecular weight polyacrylates were also used to increase the solubility of silica and to prevent silica scaling formation [25].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ultrasonic irradiation control of silica fouling during membrane distillation process

et al. 2016

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• Ultrasonic irradiation was introduced into membrane distillation process.• Influence of ultrasonic irradiation on silica fouling control was investigated.• Calcium ion would destroy silica colloid stability and aggravate membrane fouling.• Ultrasonic irradiation can mitigate silica fouling and maintain permeate flux. a b s t r a c t a r t i c l e i n f o Ultrasonic irradiation was introduced into membrane distillation process and the influence of ultrasonic irradiation on silica fouling control was investigated. A gradual decline of permeate flux during the concentration process of silica solution was observed due to the formation and deposition of colloidal polysilicic acid on the membrane surface. The PTFE hollow fiber membrane could maintain its mechanical properties and initial pore size distribution in the presence of ultrasonic irradiation. Ultrasonic wave brought significant mechanical and thermal effects, and generated powerful shock wave and microstreaming with high speed. The microstreaming, shock wave and acoustic vortex streaming stimulated the liquid-membrane interface continuously, therefore the membrane surface could be effectively kept clean and the permeate flux was hardly affected by the increasing of concentration factor. Due to the charge neutralization and compression of double charged layer induced by calcium ions, the silica colloid stability was eliminated and the colloids aggregated. A large amount of silica scaling was deposited on the membrane surface even at the beginning of concentration process. With ultrasonic irradiation, the permeate flux maintained stable and was enhanced by about 43%; the ultrasonic irradiation could effectively control silica fouling during membrane distillation.

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Characterization of foulants by autopsy of RO desalination membranes

Cited by 81 publications

References 8 publications

An autopsy study of a fouled reverse osmosis membrane element used in a brackish water treatment plant

An autopsy study of a fouled reverse osmosis membrane element used in a brackish water treatment plant

Colloidal fouling of RO membranes: an overview of key issues and efforts to develop improved prediction techniques

Ultrasonic irradiation control of silica fouling during membrane distillation process

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