This study evaluates with numerical simulations supported by experimental data the impact of biofouling on membrane performance in a cross-flow forward osmosis (FO) system. The two-dimensional numerical model couples liquid flow with solute transport in the FO feed and draw channels, in the FO membrane support layer and in the biofilm developed on one or both sides of the membrane. The developed model was tested against experimental measurements at various osmotic pressure differences and in batch operation without and with the presence of biofilm on the membrane active layer. Numerical studies explored the effect of biofilm properties (thickness, hydraulic permeability and porosity), biofilm membrane surface coverage, and biofilm location on salt external concentration polarization and on the permeation flux. The numerical simulations revealed that (i) when biofouling occurs, external concentration polarization became important, (ii) the biofilm hydraulic permeability and membrane surface coverage have the highest impact on water flux, and (iii) the biofilm formed in the draw channel impacts the process performance more than when formed in the feed channel. The proposed mathematical model helps to understand the impact of biofouling in FO membrane systems and to develop possible strategies to reduce and control biofouling.@en

A novel magnetic resonance measurement (MRM) protocol for non-invasive monitoring of fouling in spiral wound reverse osmosis (SWRO) membrane modules is demonstrated. Sodium alginate was used to progressively foul a commercial SWRO membrane at industrially relevant operating conditions in a circulating flow loop. The MRM protocol showcased the following: (i) earlier, more sensitive detection and quantification of fouling in the membrane module compared to feed-channel pressure drop. This was achieved using appropriate detection of the total nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signal. (ii) 2D cross-sectional imaging of the location of the accumulated foulant material; this was preferentially located adjacent to the membrane spacer sheet nodes, which was subsequently confirmed by a module autopsy. This image contrast, which could also readily differentiate the membrane, feed spacer and permeate spacer regions, was realised based on differences in the NMR relaxation parameter, T2,eff. (iii) High frequency acquisition of 2D cross-sectional velocity images of the module revealing very localised flow channelling in response to gradual foulant accumulation which impacted significantly on the flow pattern within the central permeate tube. Collectively this NMR/MRI measurement protocol provides a powerful analysis tool for the evolution of fouling in such complex modules, thus ultimately enabling more informed module design.@en

Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADES) are composed of supramolecular interactions of two or more natural compounds, such as organic acids, sugars, and amino acids, and they are being used as a new media alternative to conventional solvents. In this study, a new application of NADES is presented as a possible technology for biofilm structural breaker in complex systems since the current solvents used for biofilm cleaning and extraction of biofilm components use hazardous solutions. The NADES (betaine:urea:water and lactic acid:glucose:water) were analyzed before and after the biofilm treatment by attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and fluorescence excitation-emission matrix spectroscopy. Our results indicate that the green solvents could solubilize up to ≈70 percent of the main components of the biofilms extracellular matrix. The solubilization of the biomolecules weakened the biofilm structure, which could enhance the biofilm solubilization and removal. The NADES have the potential to be an environment-friendly, green solvent to extract valuable compounds and break the main structure from the biofilm, leading to a greener method for extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) extraction and biofilm treatment in various water treatment systems.@en

Surface coating of membranes may be a promising option to control biofilm development and biofouling impact on membrane performance of spiral-wound reverse osmosis (RO) systems. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of an amphiphilic copolymer coating on biofilm formation and biofouling control. The coating was composed of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic monomers hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and perfluorodecyl acrylate (PFA), respectively. Commercial RO membranes were coated with HEMA-PFA copolymer film. Long and short term biofouling studies with coated and uncoated membranes and feed spacer were performed using membrane fouling simulators (MFSs) operated in parallel, fed with water containing nutrients. For the long-term studies pressure drop development in time was monitored and after eight days the MFSs were opened and the accumulated biofilm on the membrane and spacer sheets was quantified and characterized. The presence of the membrane coating was determined using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Results showed that the amphiphilic coating (i) delayed biofouling (a lower pressure drop increase by a factor of 3 and a lower accumulated active biomass amount by a factor of 6), (ii) influenced the biofilm composition (23% lower polysaccharides and 132% higher protein content) and (iii) was still completely present on the membrane at the end of the biofouling study, showing that the coating was strongly attached to the membrane surface. Using coated membranes and feed spacers in combination with advanced cleaning strategies may be a suitable way to control biofouling.@en

Nutrient limitation is a biofouling control strategy in reverse osmosis (RO) membrane systems. In seawater, the assimilable organic carbon content available for bacterial growth ranges from about 50 to 400 μg C·L−1, while the phosphorus concentration ranges from 3 to 11 μg P·L−1. Several studies monitored biofouling development, limiting either carbon or phosphorus. The effect of carbon to phosphorus ratio and the restriction of both nutrients on membrane system performance have not yet been investigated. This study examines the impact of reduced phosphorus concentration (from 25 μg P·L−1 and 3 μg P·L−1, to a low concentration of ≤0.3 μg P·L−1), combined with two different carbon concentrations (250 C L−1 and 30 μg C·L−1), on biofilm development in an RO system. Feed channel pressure drop was measured to determine the effect of the developed biofilm on system performance. The morphology of the accumulated biomass for both carbon concentrations was characterized by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and the biomass amount and composition was quantified by measuring total organic carbon (TOC), adenosine triphosphate (ATP), total cell counts (TCC), and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) concentration for the developed biofilms under phosphorus restricted (P-restricted) and dosed (P-dosed) conditions. For both carbon concentrations, P-restricted conditions (≤0.3 μg P·L−1) limited bacterial growth (lower values of ATP, TCC). A faster pressure drop increase was observed for P-restricted conditions compared to P-dosed conditions when 250 μg C·L−1 was dosed. This faster pressure drop increase can be explained by a higher area covered by biofilm in the flow channel and a higher amount of produced EPS. Conversely, a slower pressure drop increase was observed for P-restricted conditions compared to P-dosed conditions when 30 μg C·L−1 was dosed. Results of this study demonstrate that P-limitation delayed biofilm formation effectively when combined with low assimilable organic carbon concentration and thereby, lengthening the overall membrane system performance.@en

This study aimed to characterize the impact of organic and inorganic compounds in the feed solution on the membrane fouling and the boron flux in a forward osmosis (FO) membrane system. Lab-scale FO membrane systems were operated in batch mode, with a solution containing organic compounds (humic acid (HA), bovine serum albumin (BSA), sodium alginate (SA)), scaling constituents (calcium chloride, sodium sulfate), and boric acid as feed solution, and with concentrated sodium chloride as draw solution. Preparations of membrane sample for scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersed spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) by freeze- and by oven-drying showed different results and can therefore not be considered as suitable for the evaluation of the samples. Results showed that the organic fouling layer did not have an impact on water and boron fluxes, but reverse salt flux (RSF) was reduced in the presence of BSA and HA. The molar flux ratio between water and boron was roughly 105, regardless of the presence of the fouling. The hydrophobicity and surface charge of the fouling layer were not related to the boron transport rate. A thicker and more uniform organic fouling layer, as observed, caused a reduced RSF. The organic compounds in the feed solution impeded the crystallisation of gypsum, which can lead to reduce scaling.@en