The effect of imposed flux on biofouling in reverse osmosis: Role of concentration polarisation and biofilm enhanced osmotic pressure phenomena

Chong, Tzyy Haur; Wong, Fook-Sin; Fane, Anthony G.

doi:10.1016/j.memsci.2008.09.011

Cited by 134 publications

(88 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…For PAO1 experiments, a nutrient broth (NB) (Difco, BD) stock solution (8 g liter Ϫ1 ) was used to provide an average nutrient concentration of 24 mg liter Ϫ1 . This is a similar concentration to previous biofouling studies in laboratory-scale RO systems (34)(35)(36)(37) . The system was allowed to mix for a further 1.5 h prior to the start of the experiment.…”

Section: Methodssupporting

confidence: 86%

Nitric Oxide Treatment for the Control of Reverse Osmosis Membrane Biofouling

Barnes

Low

Bandi

et al. 2015

Appl Environ Microbiol

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f Biofouling remains a key challenge for membrane-based water treatment systems. This study investigated the dispersal potential of the nitric oxide (NO) donor compound, PROLI NONOate, on single-and mixed-species biofilms formed by bacteria isolated from industrial membrane bioreactor and reverse osmosis (RO) membranes. The potential of PROLI NONOate to control RO membrane biofouling was also examined. Confocal microscopy revealed that PROLI NONOate exposure induced biofilm dispersal in all but two of the bacteria tested and successfully dispersed mixed-species biofilms. The addition of 40 M PROLI NONOate at 24-h intervals to a laboratory-scale RO system led to a 92% reduction in the rate of biofouling (pressure rise over a given period) by a bacterial community cultured from an industrial RO membrane. Confocal microscopy and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) extraction revealed that PROLI NONOate treatment led to a 48% reduction in polysaccharides, a 66% reduction in proteins, and a 29% reduction in microbial cells compared to the untreated control. A reduction in biofilm surface coverage (59% compared to 98%, treated compared to control) and average thickness (20 m compared to 26 m, treated compared to control) was also observed. The addition of PROLI NONOate led to a 22% increase in the time required for the RO module to reach its maximum transmembrane pressure (TMP), further indicating that NO treatment delayed fouling. Pyrosequencing analysis revealed that the NO treatment did not significantly alter the microbial community composition of the membrane biofilm. These results present strong evidence for the application of PROLI NONOate for prevention of RO biofouling.

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Section: Methodssupporting

confidence: 86%

Nitric Oxide Treatment for the Control of Reverse Osmosis Membrane Biofouling

Barnes

Low

Bandi

et al. 2015

Appl Environ Microbiol

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“…2B). Interestingly, the fast flux decline by the conditioning organics during the first 50 h of the fouling experiment, under all conditions, had no effect on salt rejection, while during biofilm formation stage, salt rejection is reduced, most likely due to the biofilm enhanced osmotic pressure (BEOP) phenomena reported in previous studies [1,4,9]. In most cases, organic fouling had no effects on CP, furthermore, in some cases improved rejection was detected caused by a ''secondary membrane'' made from the organic fouling layer [33].…”

Section: Effect Of Shear On Permeate Flux Decline and Salt Rejectionmentioning

confidence: 62%

“…The explanation for the differences in salt rejection may be explained by the morphology and compactness of the biofilm. At high shear rate, lower CP can provide the membrane with higher rejection, though, once biofilm layer is extending BEOP phenomena may prevail [1,4].…”

Section: Effect Of Shear On Permeate Flux Decline and Salt Rejectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…First, biofilms can produce additional resistance to water flow, which is known to be detrimental in porous membranes such as ultra-and micro-filtration as well as in RO systems, adding hydraulic resistance through the membrane. Second, biofilms prevent effective mixing in the solution immediately adjacent to the surface, which enhances concentration polarization (CP), impacting selectivity and increasing osmotic pressure in UF, NF and RO processes [4]. In fact, CP further facilitates biofouling since the transmembrane flow results in more uniform access to nutrients and oxygen by the biofilm [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effects of shear rate on biofouling of reverse osmosis membrane during tertiary wastewater desalination

Wang

Gitis

Lee

et al. 2013

Journal of Membrane Science

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“…However, bacteria adhere to the membrane surface eventually forming a biofouling layer [2,4,5]. Biofilm formation on membranes has a significant negative effect on process performance through permeate flux decline, loss of retention and increased pressure loss over the membrane elements [6][7][8]. Biofilm removal requires extensive chemical cleaning which is disruptive to the process, may cause damage to the membrane and prevent a full recovery of membrane flux and retention [9].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nanofiltration and reverse osmosis surface topographical heterogeneities: Do they matter for initial bacterial adhesion?

Allen

Semiao

Habimana

et al. 2015

Journal of Membrane Science

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The role of the physicochemical and surface properties of NF/RO membranes influencing bacterial adhesion has been widely studied. However, there exists a poor understanding of the potential role membrane topographical heterogeneities can have on bacterial adhesion. Heterogeneities on material surfaces have been shown to influence bacterial adhesion and biofilm development. The purpose of this study was therefore to investigate whether the presence of membrane topographical heterogeneities had a significant role during bacterial adhesion as this could significantly impact on how biofouling develops on membranes during NF/RO operation. An extensive study was devised in which surface topographical heterogeneities from two commercial membranes, NF270 and BW30, were assessed for their role in the adhesion of two model organisms of different geometrical shapes, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Staphylococcus epidermidis. The influence of cross-flow velocity and permeate flux was also tested, as well as the angle to which bacteria adhered compared to the flow direction. Bacterial adhesion onto the membranes and in their surface topographical heterogeneities was assessed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), fluorescence microscopy and image analysis. Results showed that up to 30% of total adhered cells were found in membrane defect areas when defect areas only covered up to 13% of the membrane surface area. This suggests that topographical heterogeneities may play a significant role in establishing environmental niches during the early stages of biofilm development. Furthermore, no noticeable difference between the angle of cell attachment in defect areas compared to the rest of the membrane surface was found.

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The effect of imposed flux on biofouling in reverse osmosis: Role of concentration polarisation and biofilm enhanced osmotic pressure phenomena

Cited by 134 publications

References 40 publications

Nitric Oxide Treatment for the Control of Reverse Osmosis Membrane Biofouling

Nitric Oxide Treatment for the Control of Reverse Osmosis Membrane Biofouling

Effects of shear rate on biofouling of reverse osmosis membrane during tertiary wastewater desalination

Nanofiltration and reverse osmosis surface topographical heterogeneities: Do they matter for initial bacterial adhesion?

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