Recent Advances in Measuring and Controlling Biofouling of Seawater Reverse Osmosis SWRO: A Review

Idais, Rana H.; Abuhabib, A. A.; Hamzah, Sofiah

doi:10.5772/intechopen.95782

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 47 publications

(86 reference statements)

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“…Several authors have proposed modifications in ROMs structures to improve their chemical and physical properties [ 28 ], as well as the application of different chemical or biological components as cleaning agents with less toxic effects [ 11 , 12 ]. In this context, the use of microorganisms that can degrade the biofouling EPS matrix has exhibited considerable promise [ 27 , 29 , 30 ]. However, several of these approaches have been evaluated only under laboratory conditions and on a small scale—conditions that, in many aspects, are not similar to those observed in the routine operation of desalination plants.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Use of Alteromonas sp. Ni1-LEM Supernatant as a Cleaning Agent for Reverse-Osmosis Membranes (ROMs) from a Desalination Plant in Northern Chile Affected by Biofouling

2023

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Biofouling refers to the undesirable growth of microorganisms on water-submerged surfaces. Microfouling, the initial state of biofouling, is characterized by aggregates of microbial cells enclosed in a matrix of extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs). In seawater desalination plants, filtration systems, such as reverse-osmosis membranes (ROMs), are affected by microfouling, which decreases their efficiency in obtaining permeate water. The existing chemical and physical treatments are expensive and ineffective; therefore, controlling microfouling on ROMs is a considerable challenge. Thus, new approaches are necessary to improve the current ROM cleaning treatments. This study demonstrates the application of Alteromonas sp. Ni1-LEM supernatant as a cleaning agent for ROMs in a desalination seawater plant in northern Chile (Aguas Antofagasta S.A.), which is responsible for supplying drinking water to the city of Antofagasta. ROMs treated with Altermonas sp. Ni1-LEM supernatant exhibited statistically significant results (p < 0.05) in terms of seawater permeability (Pi), permeability recovery (PR), and the conductivity of permeated water compared with control biofouling ROMs and those treated with the chemical cleaning protocol applied by the Aguas Antofagasta S.A. desalination plant.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…One of the biggest bottlenecks preventing the industrial application of these new eco-friendly approaches, allowing them to compete with more traditional treatments, is the scaling of these processes for higher-volume production [ 29 ]. In this context, our group previously scaled and produced a massive 400 L culture of Alteromonas sp.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of Alteromonas sp. Ni1-LEM Supernatant as a Cleaning Agent for Reverse-Osmosis Membranes (ROMs) from a Desalination Plant in Northern Chile Affected by Biofouling

2023

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Use of Lemon Peel Extract as Antimicrobial Supported on Eco-friendly Polyvinyl Alcohol/Polydimethylsiloxane Sponges

García Fernández,

Levy,

Salustro

et al. 2024

J Polym Environ

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Roles of Sulfites in Reverse Osmosis (RO) Plants and Adverse Effects in RO Operation

Maeda¹

2022

Membranes

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More than 60 years have passed since UCLA first announced the development of an innovative asymmetric cellulose acetate reverse osmosis (RO) membrane in 1960. This innovation opened a gate to use RO for commercial use. RO is now ubiquitous in water treatment and has been used for various applications, including seawater desalination, municipal water treatment, wastewater reuse, ultra-pure water (UPW) production, and industrial process waters, etc. RO is a highly integrated system consisting of a series of unit processes: (1) intake system, (2) pretreatment, (3) RO system, (4) post-treatment, and (5) effluent treatment and discharge system. In each step, a variety of chemicals are used. Among those, sulfites (sodium bisulfite and sodium metabisulfite) have played significant roles in RO, such as dechlorination, preservatives, shock treatment, and sanitization, etc. Sulfites especially became necessary as dechlorinating agents because polyamide hollow-fiber and aromatic thin-film composite RO membranes developed in the late 1960s and 1970s were less tolerable with residual chlorine. In this review, key applications of sulfites are explained in detail. Furthermore, as it is reported that sulfites have some adverse effects on RO membranes and processes, such phenomena will be clarified. In particular, the following two are significant concerns using sulfites: RO membrane oxidation catalyzed by heavy metals and a trigger of biofouling. This review sheds light on the mechanism of membrane oxidation and triggering biofouling by sulfites. Some countermeasures are also introduced to alleviate such problems.

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Recent Advances in Measuring and Controlling Biofouling of Seawater Reverse Osmosis SWRO: A Review

Cited by 3 publications

References 47 publications

Use of Alteromonas sp. Ni1-LEM Supernatant as a Cleaning Agent for Reverse-Osmosis Membranes (ROMs) from a Desalination Plant in Northern Chile Affected by Biofouling

Use of Alteromonas sp. Ni1-LEM Supernatant as a Cleaning Agent for Reverse-Osmosis Membranes (ROMs) from a Desalination Plant in Northern Chile Affected by Biofouling

Use of Lemon Peel Extract as Antimicrobial Supported on Eco-friendly Polyvinyl Alcohol/Polydimethylsiloxane Sponges

Roles of Sulfites in Reverse Osmosis (RO) Plants and Adverse Effects in RO Operation

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