Fouling propensity of forward osmosis: investigation of the slower flux decline phenomenon

2010 ◽  
Vol 61 (4) ◽  
pp. 927-936 ◽  
Author(s):  
Winson C. L. Lay ◽  
Tzyy Haur Chong ◽  
Chuyang Y. Tang ◽  
Anthony G. Fane ◽  
Jinsong Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Fouling ◽  
Ambient Pressure ◽  
Pure Water ◽  
Forward Osmosis ◽  
Hydraulic Pressure ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Draw Solution ◽  
Flux Decline ◽  
Internal Concentration ◽  
Quality Water

Forward Osmosis (FO) is a membrane process that uses the natural osmotic pressure of a concentrated draw solution to extract pure water from a feed stream. The attraction of the FO process is that it uses dense membranes, while operating at ambient pressure. This means that the FO process could potentially produce high quality water with lower energy consumption, as compared to the other desalination or reclamation processes. As FO does not entail the use of hydraulic pressure, FO has been hypothesized to have lower fouling propensity than pressure driven membrane processes. Membrane fouling has significant impact on the operational sustainability and economics of the process. This study examines the possible contributing factors to the slower flux decline observed in FO experiments based on a combined experimental and modelling approach. It was found that these factors could include low water fluxes, use of hydrophilic and smooth membranes, and the effect of internal concentration polarisation that is inherent of FO. It was also found that the transmission of draw solutes from the draw solution into the feed can have significant effect on FO performance.

scholarly journals Evaluating Fertilizer-Drawn Forward Osmosis Performance in Treating Anaerobic Palm Oil Mill Effluent

Membranes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 566
Author(s):  
Ruwaida Abdul Wahid ◽  
Wei Lun Ang ◽  
Abdul Wahab Mohammad ◽  
Daniel James Johnson ◽  
Nidal Hilal
Keyword(s):  
Palm Oil ◽  
Pure Water ◽  
Water Flux ◽  
Forward Osmosis ◽  
Salt Flux ◽  
Palm Oil Mill Effluent ◽  
Performance Ratio ◽  
Water Recovery ◽  
Flux Decline ◽  
Palm Oil Mill

Fertilizer-drawn forward osmosis (FDFO) is a potential alternative to recover and reuse water and nutrients from agricultural wastewater, such as palm oil mill effluent that consists of 95% water and is rich in nutrients. This study investigated the potential of commercial fertilizers as draw solution (DS) in FDFO to treat anaerobic palm oil mill effluent (An-POME). The process parameters affecting FO were studied and optimized, which were then applied to fertilizer selection based on FO performance and fouling propensity. Six commonly used fertilizers were screened and assessed in terms of pure water flux (Jw) and reverse salt flux (JS). Ammonium sulfate ((NH4)2SO4), mono-ammonium phosphate (MAP), and potassium chloride (KCl) were further evaluated with An-POME. MAP showed the best performance against An-POME, with a high average water flux, low flux decline, the highest performance ratio (PR), and highest water recovery of 5.9% for a 4-h operation. In a 24-h fouling run, the average flux decline and water recovered were 84% and 15%, respectively. Both hydraulic flushing and osmotic backwashing cleaning were able to effectively restore the water flux. The results demonstrated that FDFO using commercial fertilizers has the potential for the treatment of An-POME for water recovery. Nevertheless, further investigation is needed to address challenges such as JS and the dilution factor of DS for direct use of fertigation.

scholarly journals Application of forward osmosis in reusing the brackish concentrate produced in reverse osmosis plants with secondary treated wastewater as feed solution: a case study

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 533-543 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. D. Wang ◽  
M. Esparra ◽  
H. Liu ◽  
Y. F. Xie
Keyword(s):  
Reverse Osmosis ◽  
Membrane Fouling ◽  
Water Flux ◽  
Forward Osmosis ◽  
Pump Energy ◽  
Feed Solution ◽  
Disinfection Byproducts ◽  
Treated Wastewater ◽  
Membrane Flux ◽  
Flux Decline

This study evaluated the feasibility of forward osmosis (FO) in diluting and reusing the concentrate produced in a reverse osmosis (RO) plant in James City County, VA. Secondary treated wastewater (STW) was used as the feed solution. Findings indicated that pH had slight effects on the water flux of the FO membrane. As the concentration of total dissolved solids (TDS) in the concentrate was diluted from 12.5 to 1.0 g/L or the temperature in the STW decreased from 23 to 10 °C, the membrane flux decreased from 2.2 to 0.59 and 0.81 L/(m2 h), respectively. The FO membrane showed a good performance in the rejection of organic pollutants, with only a small part of the protein-like substances and disinfection byproducts permeating to the diluted concentrate. During an 89-hour continuous operation, water flux decline due to membrane fouling was not observed. Controlling the TDS in the second-stage FO effluent at 1.5 g/L, approximately 8.3% of the pump energy input could be saved. The consumption of groundwater was reduced from 22.7 × 103 to 10.6 × 103 m3/d. FO was proved to be an effective method in both diluting the discharged concentrate and reducing the energy consumption of RO.

Forward osmosis desalination from laboratory to market

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 834-844 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Al-Zuhairi ◽  
Ali A. Merdaw ◽  
Sami Al-Aibi ◽  
Malak Hamdan ◽  
Peter Nicoll ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Fouling ◽  
Pure Water ◽  
Specific Energy Consumption ◽  
Forward Osmosis ◽  
Feed Water ◽  
Flat Sheet ◽  
Osmotic Agent ◽  
Flat Sheet Membrane ◽  
The University ◽  
Sheet Membrane

A two-step forward osmosis (FO) desalination process combining both FO and reverse osmosis (RO) systems has been developed by the Centre for Osmosis Research and Applications at the University of Surrey and commercialised by Modern Water plc. In the FO + RO process seawater was used as feed water (FW) and a concentrated aqueous solution was used as a draw solution (DS). By taking advantage of natural osmosis, pure water is transferred from the FW to the DS and then recovered from the DS by the RO process utilising low resistance membranes, and hence lower specific energy consumption (SEC). This paper presents results of FO experiments conducted on flat sheet membrane using a bench-scale rig. The osmotic agent investigated in this study was magnesium sulphate, which is non-toxic, and highly soluble in water. Furthermore experiments were carried out on the RO pilot in order to regenerate the DS for reuse in the FO process and produce clean water. This paper also presents some pilot plant results and data from commercial plants in Oman and Gibraltar. The data demonstrates the efficiency of the FO + RO compared with the conventional RO process in terms of SEC and membrane fouling performance.

scholarly journals Effects of tannic acid on membrane fouling and membrane cleaning in forward osmosis

2017 ◽  
Vol 76 (11) ◽  
pp. 3160-3170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wanzhu Zhang ◽  
Lin Wang ◽  
Bingzhi Dong
Keyword(s):  
Tannic Acid ◽  
Calcium Ions ◽  
Membrane Fouling ◽  
Driving Forces ◽  
Forward Osmosis ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Permeate Flux ◽  
Membrane Cleaning ◽  
Draw Solution ◽  
Cleaning Methods

Abstract The fouling behavior during forward osmosis (FO) was investigated. Tannic acid was used as a model organic foulant for natural organic matter analysis since the main characteristics are similar, and calcium ions were added at different concentrations to explore the anti-pollution capability of FO membranes. The initial permeate flux and calcium ions strength were varied in different operating conditions to describe membrane fouling with membrane cleaning methods. The observed flux decline in FO changed dramatically with the type of foulant and the type of draw solution used to provide the osmotic driving force. Calcium ions aggravated membrane fouling and decreased transmembrane flux. Membrane cleaning methods included physical and physicochemical approaches, and there was no obvious difference among the typical cleaning methods (i.e., membrane flushing with different types of cleaning fluids at various crossflow velocities and backwashing with varying osmotic driving forces) with respect to flux recovery. Ultrasonic cleaning damaged the membrane structure and decreased permeate flux, and reverse diffusion of salt from the draw solution to the feed side accelerated after cleaning.

scholarly journals Polymer Having Dicationic Structure in Dumbbell Shape for Forward Osmosis Process

Polymers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 571 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taehyung Kim ◽  
Changha Ju ◽  
Chanhyuk Park ◽  
Hyo Kang
Keyword(s):  
Aqueous Solutions ◽  
Pure Water ◽  
Water Flux ◽  
Forward Osmosis ◽  
Feed Solution ◽  
Solution Temperature ◽  
Solute Flux ◽  
Responsive Polymers ◽  
Draw Solution ◽  
Efficient Recovery

The thermal-responsive polymers, poly(alkane-1,#-diylbis(tri-n-butylphosphonium) 4-vinylbenzenesulfonate) (PSSBP#, # = 8, 6, and 4), where # is the number of carbon atoms in the central bridge structure of the dicationic phosphonium moiety, were synthesized to examine their potential application as draw solutes in forward osmosis (FO). The polymers exhibited low critical solution temperature (LCST) characteristics in aqueous solutions, which is essential for recovering a draw solute from pure water. The LCSTs of the 20 wt% aqueous solutions of PSSBP8, PSSBP6, and PSSBP4 were confirmed to be approximately 30, 38, and 26 °C, respectively, which is advantageous in terms of energy requirements for the recovering draw solute. When the concentration of the PSSBP4 draw solution was 20 wt%, water flux and reverse solute flux were approximately 1.61 LMH and 0.91 gMH, respectively, in the active layer facing the draw solution (AL-DS) system when the feed solution was distilled water. The PSSBP# thermal-responsive draw solute has considerable potential for use as a next-generation draw solute because of its excellent osmotic performance and efficient recovery. Therefore, this study provides inspiration for novel ideas regarding structural transformations of polymers and their applicability as draw solutes.

scholarly journals Evaluating the Performance of Low-Energy Feed Forward Osmosis System for Desalination using Impaired and Saline Water Sources

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kiran Tota-Maharaj
Keyword(s):  
Water Treatment ◽  
River Water ◽  
Lower Energy ◽  
Pure Water ◽  
Electronic Conductivity ◽  
Forward Osmosis ◽  
Water Desalination ◽  
Permeable Membrane ◽  
Feed Forward ◽  
Draw Solution

Forward Osmosis (FO) is a natural process of treating water or wastewater due to the difference in osmotic pres-sures. FO is a membrane separation technology, applicable to food processing, industrial wastewater treatment and seawater or brackish water desalination. The phenomena of FO processes occur whereby water molecules are driven across a semi-permeable membrane by an osmotic pressure gradient that is generated from a higher concentrate draw solution. FO processes can recover potable water resources from wastewater streams through the flow of pure water from a lower concentrated feed solution towards higher concentrated draw solutions leaving behind pollutants, impurities, and salts in the semi-permeable membrane. This paper assesses the design, build and testing of a laboratory scaled Feed Forward Osmosis (FFO) system for treating river water collected from the River Medway, Kent, England. The FO process was a highly effective form of river water treatment and able to treat the River Water with high rejection rates of solutes (>90%). Experimental results showed that the FFO system can achieve a better performance when the molarity of the draw solution is higher. The average solute rejection rate of the FO membrane for both inorganic and organic compounds was 94.83 %. Moreover, the operation of the forward osmosis membrane illustrated that it has a lower fouling propensity and higher solute rejection capabilities. The pilot scaled FFO system has the ability for greater salt rejection and lower electronic conductivity levels which resulted from the successful desalination of river water. A sodium chloride (NaCl) or saltwater draw solution performed positively in inducing higher os-motic pressures with a substantial effect of lower energy requirements for the system. Lower energy consumptions of the FFO system allow similar water treatment possibilities with energy savings potential. The FFO system showed to be an environ-mentally viable and economically feasible river water treatment technology.

scholarly journals Effect of Membrane Fouling on Fertilizer-Drawn Forward Osmosis Desalination Performance

Membranes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 243
Author(s):  
Majeda Khraisheh ◽  
Mona Gulied ◽  
Fares AlMomani
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Fouling ◽  
Pure Water ◽  
Water Flux ◽  
Forward Osmosis ◽  
Feed Solution ◽  
Cellulose Triacetate ◽  
Synthetic Wastewater ◽  
Agricultural Field ◽  
Force Microscopy ◽  
Cleaning Methods

Fertilizer-drawn forward osmosis (FDFO) has garnered immense attention for its application in the agricultural field and its potential to reuse wastewater sustainably. Membrane fouling, however, remains to be a challenge for the process. This study aims to investigate the influence of membrane fouling on the performance of the FDFO process. Synthetic wastewater (SWW) and multi-component fertilizer (MCF) were used as feed solution (FS) and draw solution (DS) with cellulose triacetate (CTA) forward osmosis (FO) membrane orientation. The performance was evaluated through water flux (WF), percentage recovery and percentage of salt reject. The WF declined from 10.32 LMH (L/m2·h) to 3.30 LMH when ultra-pure water as FS was switched with concentration FS indicating the dependence of the performance on the type of FS used. Accelerated fouling experiments conducted to verify the fouling behavior showed a decline in the water flux from 8.6 LMH to 3.09 LMH with SWW and 13.1 LMH to 3.42 LMH when deionized water was used as FS. The effects of osmotic backwashing and in situ flushing as physical cleaning methods of the foul membrane were studied through water flux and salt recovery percentage. Both cleaning methods yielded a WF close to the baseline. Osmotic backwashing yielded better results by eliminating foulant–foulant and foulant–membrane adhesion. The cleaning methods were able to recover 75% of phosphate and 60% of nitrate salts. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) results validated the effectiveness of the methods for the physical cleaning of foul membranes. This study underlines the importance of the FS used in FDFO and the effectiveness of osmotic backwashing as a cleaning method of FO membranes.

Preliminary study of osmotic membrane bioreactor: effects of draw solution on water flux and air scouring on fouling

2010 ◽  
Vol 62 (6) ◽  
pp. 1353-1360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jian-Jun Qin ◽  
Kiran A. Kekre ◽  
Maung H. Oo ◽  
Guihe Tao ◽  
Chee L. Lay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Osmotic Pressure ◽  
Membrane Bioreactor ◽  
Water Flux ◽  
Forward Osmosis ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Draw Solution ◽  
Membrane Flux ◽  
Osmotic Membrane Bioreactor ◽  
Flux Decline ◽  
Preliminary Study

Preliminary study on a novel osmotic membrane bioreactor (OMBR) was explored. Objective of this study was to investigate the effects of draw solution on membrane flux and air scouring at the feed side on fouling tendency in a pilot OMBR system composing the anoxic/aerobic and forward osmosis (FO) processes. Domestic sewage was the raw feed, FO membrane from HTI and NaCl/MgSO4 draw solutions were used in the experiments. Fluxes of 3 l/m2/h (LMH) and 7.2 LMH were achieved at osmotic pressure of 5 and 22.4 atm, respectively. No significant flux decline was observed at 3 LMH over 190 h and at 7.2 LMH over 150 h when air scouring was provided at the feed side of the membrane. However, without air scouring, the flux at 22.4 atm osmotic pressure declined by 30% after 195 h and then levelled off. The potential advantages of the fouling reversibility with air scouring under the operating conditions of the pilot OMBR and better water quality in OMBR over the conventional MBR were preliminarily demonstrated.

scholarly journals Hybrid Forward Osmosis–Nanofiltration for Wastewater Reuse: System Design

Membranes ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mattia Giagnorio ◽  
Francesco Ricceri ◽  
Marco Tagliabue ◽  
Luciano Zaninetta ◽  
Alberto Tiraferri
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Fouling ◽  
Water Reuse ◽  
Forward Osmosis ◽  
Experimental Tests ◽  
Feed Solution ◽  
Solution Flow Rate ◽  
Water Recovery ◽  
Solution Flow ◽  
Membrane Area ◽  
Draw Solution

The design of a hybrid forward osmosis–nanofiltration (FO–NF) system for the extraction of high-quality water from wastewater is presented here. Simulations were performed based on experimental results obtained in a previous study using real wastewater as the feed solution. A sensitivity analysis, conducted to evaluate the influence of different process parameters, showed that an optimum configuration can be designed with (i) an influent draw solution osmotic pressure equal to 15 bar and (ii) a ratio of influent draw solution to feed solution flow rate equal to 1.5:1. With this configuration, the simulations suggested that the overall FO–NF system can achieve up to 85% water recovery using Na2SO4 or MgCl2 as the draw solute. The modular configuration and the size of the NF stage, accommodating approximately 7000 m2 of active membrane area, was a function of the properties of the membranes selected to separate the draw solutes and water, while detailed simulations indicated that the size of the FO unit might be reduced by adopting a counter-current configuration. Experimental tests with samples of the relevant wastewater showed that Cl−- and Mg2+-based draw solutes would be associated with larger membrane fouling, possibly due to their interaction with the other substances present in the feed solution. However, the results suggest that fouling would not significantly decrease the performance of the designed system. This study contributes to the further evaluation and potential implementation of FO in water reuse systems.

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