Forward osmosis for the treatment of reverse osmosis concentrate from water reclamation: process performance and fouling control

While high quality water reuse based on dual membrane filtration (membrane filtration or ultrafiltration, followed by reverse osmosis) is expected to be progressively applied, treatment and sustainable management of the produced reverse osmosis concentrate (ROC) are still important issues. Forward osmosis (FO) is a promising technology for maximising water recovery and further dewatering ROC so that zero liquid discharge is produced. Elevated concentrations of organic and inorganic compounds may act as potential foulants of the concentrate desalting system, in that they consist of, for example, FO and a subsequent crystallizer. The present study investigated conditions under which the FO system can serve as concentration phase with the focus on its fouling propensity using model foulants and real ROC. Bulk organics from ROC consisted mainly of humic acids (HA) and building blocks since wastewater-derived biopolymers were retained by membrane filtration or ultrafiltration. Organic fouling of the FO system by ROC-derived bulk organics was low. HA was only adsorbed moderately at about 7% of the initial concentration, causing a minor flux decline of about 2–4%. However, scaling was a major impediment to this process if not properly controlled, for instance by pH adjustment or softening.

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Application of forward osmosis membrane in nanofiltration mode to treat reverse osmosis concentrate from wastewater reclamation plants

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.2018.087 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 77 (8) ◽

pp. 1990-1997 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Shahzad Jamil ◽

Sanghyun Jeong ◽

Saravanamuthu Vigneswaran

Keyword(s):

Reverse Osmosis ◽

Organic Compounds ◽

Water Reuse ◽

Inorganic Compounds ◽

Forward Osmosis ◽

Wastewater Reclamation ◽

Permeate Flux ◽

Acid Pretreatment ◽

Inorganic Matter ◽

Gac Adsorption

Abstract Reverse osmosis concentrate (ROC) from wastewater reclamation plants have high concentrations of organic and inorganic compounds, which have to be removed before its disposal. Forward osmosis (FO) and nanofiltration (NF) membranes were tested to treat the ROC for possible water reuse. This research investigated the combined and individual influence of organic and inorganic matter on the fouling of NF and FO membranes. The results revealed that the NF membrane removed most of the organic compounds and some inorganics. The study further highlighted that the FO membrane at NF mode removed the majority of the inorganic compounds and some organics from the ROC. A pretreatment of granulated activated carbon (GAC) adsorption removed 90% of the organic compounds from ROC. In addition, GAC adsorption and acid pretreatment of ROC improved the net water permeate flux by 17% when an FO membrane was used in the NF system. Acid treatment (by bringing the pH down to 5) helped to remove inorganic ions. Therefore, the resultant permeate can be recycled back to the RO water reclamation plant to improve its efficiency.

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Water recovery from sewage using forward osmosis

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.2011.773 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 64 (7) ◽

pp. 1443-1449 ◽

Cited By ~ 61

Author(s):

Kerusha Lutchmiah ◽

Emile R. Cornelissen ◽

Danny J. H. Harmsen ◽

Jan W. Post ◽

Keith Lampi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Renewable Energy ◽

Reverse Osmosis ◽

Energy Content ◽

Water Flux ◽

Forward Osmosis ◽

Feed Solution ◽

Water Recovery ◽

High Quality ◽

Mining Project ◽

Quality Water

This research is part of the Sewer Mining project aimed at developing a new technological concept by extracting water from sewage by means of forward osmosis (FO). FO, in combination with a reconcentration system, e.g. reverse osmosis (RO) is used to recover high-quality water. Furthermore, the subsequent concentrated sewage (containing an inherent energy content) can be converted into a renewable energy (RE) source (i.e. biogas). The effectiveness of FO membranes in the recovery of water from sewage has been evaluated. Stable FO water flux values (>4.3 LMH) were obtained with primary effluent (screened, not treated) used as the feed solution. Fouling of the membrane was also induced and further investigated. Accumulated fouling was found to be apparent, but not irreversible. Sewer Mining could lead to a more economical and sustainable treatment of wastewater, facilitating the extraction of water and energy from sewage and changing the way it is perceived: not as waste, but as a resource.

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Using Reverse Osmosis Membrane at High Temperature for Water Recovery and Regeneration from Thermo-Responsive Ionic Liquid-Based Draw Solution for Efficient Forward Osmosis

Membranes ◽

10.3390/membranes11080588 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. 588

Author(s):

Eiji Kamio ◽

Hiroki Kurisu ◽

Tomoki Takahashi ◽

Atsushi Matsuoka ◽

Tomohisa Yoshioka ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ionic Liquid ◽

High Temperature ◽

Energy Saving ◽

Osmotic Pressure ◽

Reverse Osmosis ◽

Forward Osmosis ◽

Solution Temperature ◽

Water Recovery ◽

Temperature Dependent ◽

Draw Solution

Forward osmosis (FO) membrane process is expected to realize energy-saving seawater desalination. To this end, energy-saving water recovery from a draw solution (DS) and effective DS regeneration are essential. Recently, thermo-responsive DSs have been developed to realize energy-saving water recovery and DS regeneration. We previously reported that high-temperature reverse osmosis (RO) treatment was effective in recovering water from a thermo-responsive ionic liquid (IL)-based DS. In this study, to confirm the advantages of the high-temperature RO operation, thermo-sensitive IL-based DS was treated by an RO membrane at temperatures higher than the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of the DS. Tetrabutylammonium 2,4,6-trimethylbenznenesulfonate ([N4444][TMBS]) with an LCST of 58 °C was used as the DS. The high-temperature RO treatment was conducted at 60 °C above the LCST using the [N4444][TMBS]-based DS-lean phase after phase separation. Because the [N4444][TMBS]-based DS has a significantly temperature-dependent osmotic pressure, the DS-lean phase can be concentrated to an osmotic pressure higher than that of seawater at room temperature (20 °C). In addition, water can be effectively recovered from the DS-lean phase until the DS concentration increased to 40 wt%, and the final DS concentration reached 70 wt%. From the results, the advantages of RO treatment of the thermo-responsive DS at temperatures higher than the LCST were confirmed.

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Water reclamation from shale gas drilling flow-back fluid using a novel forward osmosis–vacuum membrane distillation hybrid system

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.2014.003 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 69 (5) ◽

pp. 1036-1044 ◽

Cited By ~ 67

Author(s):

Xue-Mei Li ◽

Baolong Zhao ◽

Zhouwei Wang ◽

Ming Xie ◽

Jianfeng Song ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hybrid System ◽

Shale Gas ◽

Forward Osmosis ◽

Membrane Distillation ◽

Water Recovery ◽

High Quality ◽

Gas Drilling ◽

Vacuum Membrane Distillation ◽

Quality Water ◽

Shale Gas Drilling

This study examined the performance of a novel hybrid system of forward osmosis (FO) combined with vacuum membrane distillation (VMD) for reclaiming water from shale gas drilling flow-back fluid (SGDF). In the hybrid FO-VMD system, water permeated through the FO membrane into a draw solution reservoir, and the VMD process was used for draw solute recovery and clean water production. Using a SGDF sample obtained from a drilling site in China, the hybrid system could achieve almost 90% water recovery. Quality of the reclaimed water was comparable to that of bottled water. In the hybrid FO-VMD system, FO functions as a pre-treatment step to remove most contaminants and constituents that may foul or scale the membrane distillation (MD) membrane, whereas MD produces high quality water. It is envisioned that the FO-VMD system can recover high quality water not only from SGDF but also other wastewaters with high salinity and complex compositions.

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Water reuse and zero liquid discharge: a sustainable water resource solution

Water Science & Technology Water Supply ◽

10.2166/ws.2003.0050 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 3 (4) ◽

pp. 97-103 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

B. Durham ◽

M. Mierzejewski

Keyword(s):

Water Reuse ◽

Municipal Wastewater ◽

High Efficiency ◽

Operating Experience ◽

Water Shortage ◽

Pilot Studies ◽

Liquid Discharge ◽

Quality Water ◽

Zero Discharge ◽

Sewage Reuse

Increased water demand from population and economic growth, environmental needs, change in rainfall, flood contamination of good quality water and over abstraction of groundwater are all factors that will continue to create water shortage problems. This paper considers alternative solutions, which conform to sustainable solution premises whilst being economically beneficial to the community. The importance of pilot studies is reviewed and the surprises they can uncover. Case studies describe the benefits of long-term operating experience of zero discharge systems reusing the wastewater produced by car manufacture and secondary sewage reuse for a large coal fired power plant. Applications of reuse on large islands such as Hawaii and desert communities are discussed including the production of cash crops with high efficiency irrigation systems by reusing brackish municipal wastewater. Large municipal zero discharge potable water production is also described with an economic comparison of the alternatives.

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Capillary nanofiltration coupled with powdered activated carbon adsorption for high quality water reuse

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.2009.350 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 60 (1) ◽

pp. 251-259 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

C. Kazner ◽

J. Meier ◽

T. Wintgens ◽

T. Melin

Keyword(s):

Activated Carbon ◽

Water Reuse ◽

Membrane Filtration ◽

Municipal Wastewater ◽

Treatment Plant ◽

Powdered Activated Carbon ◽

Transmembrane Pressure ◽

Municipal Wastewater Treatment ◽

High Quality ◽

Quality Water

Direct capillary nanofiltration was tested for reclamation of tertiary effluent from a municipal wastewater treatment plant. This process can be regarded as a promising treatment alternative for high quality water reuse applications when combined with powdered activated carbon for enhanced removal of organic compounds. The nanofiltration was operated at flux levels between 20 and 25 L/(m2 h) at a transmembrane pressure difference of 2–3 bar for approximately 4,000 operating hours. The study was conducted with PAC doses in the range from 0 to 50 mg/L. The plant removal for DOC ranged from 88–98%. The sulfate retention of the membrane filtration process was between 87 and 96%. The process provided a consistently high permeate quality with respect to organic and inorganic key parameters.

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Applying the coagulation and reverse osmosis for water recovery from evaporative water

Annals of Warsaw University of Life Sciences – SGGW Land Reclamation ◽

10.1515/sggw-2015-0003 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 46 (4) ◽

pp. 291-300

Author(s):

Magdalena M. Michel ◽

Lidia Reczek ◽

Tadeusz Siwiec ◽

Piotr Rudnicki

Keyword(s):

Reverse Osmosis ◽

Organic Compounds ◽

Membrane Filtration ◽

Raw Material ◽

Feed Water ◽

Water Recovery ◽

Evaporative Water ◽

Water Turbidity ◽

A Value ◽

Pre Treatment

Abstract Applying the coagulation and reverse osmosis for water recovery from evaporative water. Evaporative water from the concentration of yeast slurry is a potential raw material for water recovery. It is characterized by low pH (4.6-6.3), increased turbidity (3.65-13.7 NTU), and high content of total organic carbon (356-754 mg/L). Its treatment in the volume coagulation process using NaOH and coagulant PIX 111, was studied. Water turbidity was lowered to a value below 1 NTU, but coagulation did not allow for the removal of organic compounds. Coagulation was effective at temperatures of 20 and 40°C. Pretreatment of the feed water for RO included alkalization, coagulation, sedimentation, and 5 μm fine filtration (variant I), as well as single 5 μm fine filtration (variant II as a blank). In variant I the feed with improved properties was achieved. Membrane filtration allowed for effective desalination of evaporative water, 98 and 73% conductivity retention was obtained, depending on the method of the feed pre-treatment. The organic compounds were removed less efficiently, at 94 and 84%, respectively.

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Hybrid Forward Osmosis–Nanofiltration for Wastewater Reuse: System Design

Membranes ◽

10.3390/membranes9050061 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (5) ◽

pp. 61 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

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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Indirect desalination of Red Sea water with forward osmosis and low pressure reverse osmosis for water reuse

Desalination ◽

10.1016/j.desal.2011.06.066 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 280 (1-3) ◽

pp. 160-166 ◽

Cited By ~ 184

Author(s):

Victor Yangali-Quintanilla ◽

Zhenyu Li ◽

Rodrigo Valladares ◽

Qingyu Li ◽

Gary Amy

Keyword(s):

Reverse Osmosis ◽

Red Sea ◽

Water Reuse ◽

Sea Water ◽

Forward Osmosis ◽

Low Pressure

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Exploring Submerged Forward Osmosis for Water Recovery and Pre-Concentration of Wastewater before Anaerobic Digestion: A Pilot Scale Study

Membranes ◽

10.3390/membranes9080097 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (8) ◽

pp. 97 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Federico Ferrari ◽

Maite Pijuan ◽

Ignasi Rodriguez-Roda ◽

Gaetan Blandin

Keyword(s):

Anaerobic Digestion ◽

Water Reuse ◽

Municipal Wastewater ◽

Forward Osmosis ◽

Oxygen Demand ◽

Pilot Scale ◽

Anaerobic Treatment ◽

Water Recovery ◽

Draw Solution ◽

Submerged Plate

Applying forward osmosis directly on raw municipal wastewater is of high interest for the simultaneous production of a high quality permeate for water reuse and pre-concentrating wastewater for anaerobic digestion. This pilot scale study investigates, for the first time, the feasibility of concentrating real raw municipal wastewater using a submerged plate and frame forward osmosis module (0.34 m2) to reach 70% water recovery. Membrane performance, fouling behavior, and effective concentration of wastewater compounds were examined. Two different draw solutions (NaCl and MgCl2), operating either with constant draw concentration or in batch with draw dilution over time, were evaluated. Impact of gas sparging on fouling and external concentration polarization was also assessed. Water fluxes up to 15 L m−2 h−1 were obtained with clean water and 35 g NaCl/L as feed and draw solution, respectively. When using real wastewater, submerged forward osmosis proved to be resilient to clogging, demonstrating its suitability for application on municipal or other complex wastewater; operating with 11.7 g NaCl/L constant draw solution, water and reverse salt fluxes up to 5.1 ± 1.0 L m−2 h−1 and 4.8 ± 2.6 g m−2 h−1 were observed, respectively. Positively, total and soluble chemical oxygen demand concentration factors of 2.47 ± 0.15 and 1.86 ± 0.08, respectively, were achieved, making wastewater more suitable for anaerobic treatment.

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