Development of a new technique to predict reverse osmosis fouling

Taheri, A.H.; Sim, S.T.V.; Sim, Lee Nuang; Chong, Tzyy Haur; Krantz, William B.; Fane, Anthony G.

doi:10.1016/j.memsci.2013.06.040

Cited by 23 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…Therefore, future work should be focused on measuring, understanding and modeling fouling-layer development. Significant efforts to understand, monitor and predict developing fouling-layer properties, including h, have already been reported (e.g., [8,9,[35][36][37][38]) under idealized conditions. Furthermore, in the context of hydrodynamics and fouling evolution in spacer-filled channels, investigating the effect of the detailed geometry and filament shape of the spacer is of high priority.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fluid Dynamics and Mass Transfer in Spacer-Filled Membrane Channels: Effect of Uniform Channel-Gap Reduction Due to Fouling

Koutsou

Karabelas

Kostoglou

2018

Fluids

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Abstract:The time-varying flow field in spacer-filled channels of spiral-wound membrane (SWM) modules is mainly due to the development of fouling layers on the membranes that modify the channel geometry. The present study is part of an approach to tackling this extremely difficult dynamic problem at a small spatial scale, by uncoupling the fluid dynamics and mass transfer from the fouling-layer growth process. Therefore, fluid dynamics and mass transfer are studied for a spacer-filled channel whose geometry is altered by a uniform deposit thickness h. For this purpose, 3D direct numerical simulations are performed employing the "unit cell" approach with periodic boundary conditions. Specific thickness values are considered in the range 2.5-10% of the spacer-filament diameter D as well as other conditions of practical significance. The qualitative characteristics of the altered flow field are found to be very similar to those of the reference geometry with no gap reduction. For a given flow rate, the pressure drop, time-average wall-shear stresses and mass-transfer coefficients significantly increase with increasing thickness h due to reduced channel-gap, as expected. Correlations are obtained, applicable at the "unit cell" scale, of the friction factor f and Sherwood number Sh, which exhibit similar functional dependence of f and Sh on the Reynolds and Schmidt numbers as in the reference no-fouling case. In these correlations the effect of channel-gap reduction is incorporated, permitting predictions in the studied range of fouling-layer thickness (h/D) = 0-0.10. The usefulness of the new results and correlations is discussed in the context of ongoing research toward improved modeling and dynamic simulation of SWM-module operation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fluid Dynamics and Mass Transfer in Spacer-Filled Membrane Channels: Effect of Uniform Channel-Gap Reduction Due to Fouling

Koutsou

Karabelas

Kostoglou

2018

Fluids

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“…The formation of the denser fouling layer was due to the electrostatic interactions between foulants and membrane surface as well as the electrostatic interactions among the foulants due to absorption of BSA onto silica [116]. Taheri, et al [119] used UTDR technique to provide a good estimation of the fouling layer thickness formed during RO tests. Xu, et al [120] described the extension of UTDR as a non-invasive fouling monitoring technique used for the real-time measurement of particle deposition in a single hollow fiber membrane during MF.…”

Section: Ultrasonic Time Domain Reflectometry (Utdr)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Fouling in Membrane Distillation, Osmotic Distillation and Osmotic Membrane Distillation

et al. 2017

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Various membrane separation processes are being used for seawater desalination and treatment of wastewaters in order to deal with the worldwide water shortage problem. Different types of membranes of distinct morphologies, structures and physico-chemical characteristics are employed. Among the considered membrane technologies, membrane distillation (MD), osmotic distillation (OD) and osmotic membrane distillation (OMD) use porous and hydrophobic membranes for production of distilled water and/or concentration of wastewaters for recovery and recycling of valuable compounds. However, the efficiency of these technologies is hampered by fouling phenomena. This refers to the accumulation of organic/inorganic deposits including biological matter on the membrane surface and/or in the membrane pores. Fouling in MD, OD and OMD differs from that observed in electric and pressure-driven membrane processes such electrodialysis (ED), membrane capacitive deionization (MCD), reverse osmosis (RO), nanofiltration (NF), ultrafiltration (UF), microfiltration (MF), etc. Other than pore blockage, fouling in MD, OD and OMD increases the risk of membrane pores wetting and reduces therefore the quantity and quality of the produced water or the concentration efficiency of the process. This review deals with the observed fouling phenomena in MD, OD and OMD. It highlights different detected fouling types (organic fouling, inorganic fouling and biofouling), fouling characterization techniques as well as various methods of fouling reduction including pretreatment, membrane modification, membrane cleaning and antiscalants application.

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“…Focusing on attempts to address directly and predict model membrane fouling, several fouling prediction tools and techniques have been developed to describe membrane fouling [16][17][18][19][20]. The traditional and most widely applied fouling indices in RO systems are the Silt Density Index (SDI) and the Modified Fouling Index (MFI).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Some recent research has focused on modifying these methods in order to evaluate fouling potential [17,22,24,25], while another research focus is the proposal of prediction models based on experience in full-scale RO desalination plants [26][27][28][29].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Critical Review on Predicting Fouling in RO Desalination

Ruiz-García¹,

Melián-Martel²,

I³

2017

Preprint

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RO membrane fouling is one of the main challenges that membrane manufactures, the scientific community and industry professionals have to deal with. The consequences of this inevitable phenomenon have a negative effect on the performance of the desalination system. Predicting fouling in RO systems is key to evaluating the long-term operating conditions and costs. Much research has been done on fouling indices, methods, techniques and prediction models to estimate the influence of fouling on the performance of RO systems. This paper offers a critical review evaluating the state of industry knowledge in the development of fouling indices and models in membrane systems for desalination in terms of use and applicability. Despite major efforts in this field, there are gaps in terms of effective methods and models for the estimation of fouling in full-scale RO desalination plants. In existing models applied to full-scale RO desalination plants, neither the spacer geometry of membranes nor the efficiency and frequency of chemical cleaningswhich play an important role in the performance of this process -are considered.

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Development of a new technique to predict reverse osmosis fouling

Cited by 23 publications

References 53 publications

Fluid Dynamics and Mass Transfer in Spacer-Filled Membrane Channels: Effect of Uniform Channel-Gap Reduction Due to Fouling

Fluid Dynamics and Mass Transfer in Spacer-Filled Membrane Channels: Effect of Uniform Channel-Gap Reduction Due to Fouling

Fouling in Membrane Distillation, Osmotic Distillation and Osmotic Membrane Distillation

A Critical Review on Predicting Fouling in RO Desalination

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