Structural and chemical characterization of long-term reverse osmosis membrane fouling in a full scale desalination plant

Abstract The assessment of long-term fouling in reverse osmosis (RO) membranes was investigated through extensive membrane autopsy using different analytical techniques. The RO membranes were taken from a seawater desalination plant after 4 years of operation. Chemical and structural characterization was performed using different analytical methods, including visual observation, optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and ion chromatography (IC). The fouling layer consisted of particulate matter embedded in an apparently amorphous matrix, which was unevenly distributed over the membrane surface with the greatest accumulation in the valley areas. Inorganic and organic foulants were identified in the RO membranes. Inorganic foulants mainly consisted of hydrogen aluminosilicates and halite. The main organics substances identified were proteins, polysaccharides and humic compounds and were attributed to biofouling. Chemical analysis revealed that Si, Al, Cl, Ca, Na, Mg and K were the predominant elements contributing to membrane fouling. The reasons for the deposition of foulants on the RO membranes are the increase of membrane selectivity due to biofouling, the large size of cartridge filters and the high operating pressure.

[1]  Chihpin Huang,et al.  Characteristics of RO foulants in a brackish water desalination plant , 2008 .

[2]  Faizur Rahman,et al.  Hollow fine fiber vs. spiral-wound reverse osmosis desalination membranes Part 2: Membrane autopsy , 1997 .

[3]  Sambhu Saran Mitra,et al.  Evaluation and characterization of seawater RO membrane fouling , 2009 .

[4]  A. Pihlajamäki,et al.  Characterization of clean and fouled polymeric ultrafiltration membranes by Fourier transform IR spectroscopy–attenuated total reflection , 1998 .

[5]  M. Reinhard,et al.  Characterization of isolated polyamide thin films of RO and NF membranes using novel TEM techniques , 2010 .

[6]  Menachem Elimelech,et al.  Colloidal Fouling of Reverse Osmosis Membranes: Measurements and Fouling Mechanisms , 1997 .

[7]  Matthias Kraume,et al.  Membrane fouling - a review on the role of EPS , 2006 .

[8]  Eric M.V. Hoek,et al.  Modeling the effects of fouling on full-scale reverse osmosis processes , 2008 .

[9]  Chuyang Y. Tang,et al.  Probing the nano- and micro-scales of reverse osmosis membranes—A comprehensive characterization of physiochemical properties of uncoated and coated membranes by XPS, TEM, ATR-FTIR, and streaming potential measurements , 2007 .

[10]  Manh Hoang,et al.  An autopsy study of a fouled reverse osmosis membrane element used in a brackish water treatment plant. , 2007, Water research.

[11]  I. Huisman,et al.  Microscopy as a tool for analysis of membrane failure and fouling , 2007 .

[12]  H. Flemming,et al.  Biofouling in water systems – cases, causes and countermeasures , 2002, Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology.

[13]  Chuyang Y. Tang,et al.  Effect of membrane chemistry and coating layer on physiochemical properties of thin film composite polyamide RO and NF membranes I. FTIR and XPS characterization of polyamide and coating layer chemistry , 2009 .

[14]  Christopher J. Gabelich,et al.  Control of residual aluminum from conventional treatment to improve reverse osmosis performance , 2006 .

[15]  M. Clark,et al.  Diffusion and partitioning of humic acid in a porous ultrafiltration membrane , 1998 .

[16]  Menachem Elimelech,et al.  Chemical and physical aspects of cleaning of organic-fouled reverse osmosis membranes , 2006 .

[17]  M. Elimelech,et al.  Biofouling of reverse osmosis membranes: Role of biofilm-enhanced osmotic pressure , 2007 .

[18]  Georges Belfort,et al.  An experimental study of electrodialysis hydrodynamics , 1972 .

[19]  Benny D. Freeman,et al.  Reverse osmosis desalination: water sources, technology, and today's challenges. , 2009, Water research.

[20]  P. Wadgaonkar,et al.  Synthesis and characterization of novel aromatic–aliphatic polyamides from bis-[(4-aminobenzyl)-4-benzamide] ether , 2010 .

[21]  Oluwaseun O. Ogunbiyi,et al.  Methods Employed for Control of Fouling in MF and UF Membranes: A Comprehensive Review , 2005 .

[22]  M. Khedr.  A case study of RO plant failure due to membrane fouling, analysis and diagnosis , 1998 .

[23]  T. Arnot,et al.  A review of reverse osmosis membrane materials for desalinationDevelopment to date and future poten , 2011 .

[24]  Jaeweon Cho,et al.  Characterization of clean and natural organic matter (NOM) fouled NF and UF membranes, and foulants characterization☆ , 1998 .

[25]  H. Huiting,et al.  Operation of NF/RO plants: from reactive to proactive , 2001 .

[26]  D. Kooij,et al.  Diagnosis, prediction and prevention of biofouling of NF and RO membranes , 2001 .

[27]  A. Boubakri,et al.  Diagnostic and membrane autopsy of Djerba Island desalination station , 2008 .

[28]  O. Kedem,et al.  Surface modification of commercial polyamide reverse osmosis membranes by radical grafting: An ATR‐FTIR study , 1998 .

[29]  A. Zydney,et al.  Humic acid fouling during ultrafiltration , 2000 .

[30]  S. G. Yiantsios,et al.  Colloidal fouling of RO membranes: an overview of key issues and efforts to develop improved prediction techniques , 2005 .

[31]  F. Rahman,et al.  Characterization of foulants by autopsy of RO desalination membranes , 1997 .

[32]  L. Hawker,et al.  The composition and structure of reverse osmosis foulant deposits formed from rand water board water: A preliminary investigation , 1987 .

[33]  A. Schäfer,et al.  Fouling autopsy of hollow-fibre MF membranes in wastewater reclamation , 2006 .

[34]  Johannes S. Vrouwenvelder,et al.  Tools for fouling diagnosis of NF and RO membranes and assessment of the fouling potential of feed water , 2003 .

[35]  M. Pontie,et al.  Tools for membrane autopsies and antifouling strategies in seawater feeds: a review , 2005 .

[36]  Raphael Semiat,et al.  Investigation of flow next to membrane walls , 2005 .

[37]  Seockheon Lee,et al.  Evaluation of surface properties of reverse osmosis membranes on the initial biofouling stages under no filtration condition , 2010 .

[38]  B. Hamrouni,et al.  RO membrane autopsy of Zarzis brackish water desalination plant , 2008 .