Spatial heterogeneity of biofouling under different cross-flow velocities in reverse osmosis membrane systems

Nadia Farhat, M. Staal, Szilard Bucs, M.C.M. Van Loosdrecht, Johannes S. Vrouwenvelder

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19 Scopus citations

Abstract

The spatially heterogeneous distribution of biofouling in spiral wound membrane systems restricts (i) the water distribution over the membrane surface and therefore (ii) the membrane-based water treatment. The objective of the study was to assess the spatial heterogeneity of biofilm development over the membrane fouling simulator (MFS) length (inlet and outlet part) at three different cross-flow velocities (0.08, 0.12 and 0.16 m/s). The MFS contained sheets of membrane and feed spacer and simulated the first 0.20 m of spiral-wound membrane modules where biofouling accumulates the most in practice. In-situ non-destructive oxygen imaging using planar optodes was applied to determine the biofilm spatially resolved activity and heterogeneity.
Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)964-971
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Membrane Science
Volume520
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 6 2016

Bibliographical note

KAUST Repository Item: Exported on 2020-10-01
Acknowledgements: The research reported in this publication was supported by funding from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST).

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