Quantitative biofouling diagnosis in full scale nanofiltration and reverse osmosis installations

J. S. Vrouwenvelder*, S. A. Manolarakis, J. P. van der Hoek, J. A.M. van Paassen, W. G.J. van der Meer, J. M.C. van Agtmaal, H. D.M. Prummel, J. C. Kruithof, M. C.M. van Loosdrecht

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

191 Scopus citations

Abstract

Biofilm accumulation in nanofiltration and reverse osmosis membrane elements results in a relative increase of normalised pressure drop (ΔNPD). However, an increase in ΔNPD is not exclusively linked to biofouling. In order to quantify biofouling, the biomass parameters adenosine triphosphate (ATP), total cell count and heterotrophic plate count in membrane elements were investigated during membrane autopsies and compared with ΔNPD in test rigs and 15 full scale investigations with different types of feed water. The combination of biomass related parameters ATP and total cell count in membrane elements seem to be suitable parameters for diagnosis of biofouling, whereas plate counts were not appropriate to assess biofouling. The applied ΔNPD measurement was too insensitive for early detection of fouling. Measurements of biological parameters in the water were shown to be not appropriate in quantifying biofouling. Evidently, there is a need for a practical tool, sensitive pressure drop data and systematic research.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)4856-4868
Number of pages13
JournalWater research
Volume42
Issue number19
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2008
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Biofilm
  • Biofouling
  • Diagnosis
  • Drinking water
  • Feed channel pressure drop
  • Membrane
  • Nanofiltration
  • Reverse osmosis
  • Scaling
  • Water treatment

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Environmental Engineering
  • Civil and Structural Engineering
  • Ecological Modeling
  • Water Science and Technology
  • Waste Management and Disposal
  • Pollution

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