Rapid novel test for the determination of biofouling potential on reverse osmosis membranes

2016 ◽  
Vol 73 (12) ◽  
pp. 2978-2985 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cervinia V. Manalo ◽  
Masaki Ohno ◽  
Tetsuji Okuda ◽  
Satoshi Nakai ◽  
Wataru Nishijima
Keyword(s):  
Reverse Osmosis ◽  
Fluorescence Intensity ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Membrane Surface ◽  
Cross Flow ◽  
Direct Analysis ◽  
Novel Method ◽  
Ro Membrane ◽  
Flow Experiments

Abstract A novel method was proposed to determine biofouling potential by direct analysis of a reverse osmosis (RO) membrane through fluorescence intensity analysis of biofilm formed on the membrane surface, thereby incorporating fouling tendencies of both feedwater and membrane. Evaluation of the biofouling potential on the RO membrane was done by accelerated biofilm formation through soaking of membranes in high biofouling potential waters obtained by adding microorganisms and glucose in test waters. The biofilm formed on the soaked membrane was quantified by fluorescence intensity microplate analysis. The soaking method's capability in detecting biofilm formation was confirmed when percentage coverage obtained through fluorescence microscopy and intensity values exhibited a linear correlation (R2 = 0.96). Continuous cross-flow experiments confirmed the ability and reliability of the soaking method in giving biofouling potential on RO membranes when a good correlation (R2 = 0.87) between intensity values of biofilms formed on the membrane during soaking and filtration conditions was obtained. Applicability of the test developed was shown when three commercially available polyamide (PA) RO membranes were assessed for biofouling potential. This new method can also be applied for the determination of biofouling potential in water with more than 3.6 mg L−1 easily degradable organic carbon.

Topology Optimization of Spacers for Maximizing Permeate Flux on Membrane Surface in Reverse Osmosis Channel

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seungjae Oh ◽  
Semyung Wang ◽  
Minkyu Park ◽  
Joonha Kim
Keyword(s):  
Topology Optimization ◽  
Pressure Drop ◽  
Reverse Osmosis ◽  
Membrane Surface ◽  
Design Development ◽  
Permeate Flux ◽  
Membrane Channel ◽  
Initial Attempt ◽  
Membrane Surfaces ◽  
Ro Membrane

The objective of this study is to design spacers using fluid topology optimization in 2D crossflow Reverse Osmosis (RO) membrane channel to improve the performance of RO processes. This study is an initial attempt to apply topology optimization to designing spacers in RO membrane channel. The performance was evaluated by the quantity of permeate flux penetrating both upper and lower membrane surfaces. A coupled Navier-Stokes and Convection-Diffusion model was employed to calculate the permeate flux. To get reliable solutions, stabilization methods were employed with standard finite element method. The nine reference models which consist of the combination of circle, rectangular, triangle shape and zigzag, cavity, submerge configuration of spacers were simulated. Such models were compared with new model designed by topology optimization. The permeate flux at both membrane surfaces was determined as an objective function. In addition, permissible pressure drop along the channel and spacer volume were used as constraints. As a result of topology optimization as the permissible pressure drop changes in channel, characteristics of spacer design development was founded. Spacer design based on topology optimization was reconstructed to a simple one considering manufactuability and characteristics of development spacer design. When a simplified design was compared with previous 9 models, new design has a better performance in terms of permeate flux and wall concentration at membrane surface.

Surface modification of reverse osmosis membranes with zwitterionic polymer to reduce biofouling

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 999-1010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed E. Abdelhamid ◽  
Mahmoud M. Elawady ◽  
Mahmoud Ahmed Abd El-Ghaffar ◽  
Abdelgawad M. Rabie ◽  
Poul Larsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reverse Osmosis ◽  
Tap Water ◽  
Membrane Surface ◽  
Salt Content ◽  
Cross Flow ◽  
Membrane Properties ◽  
Cleaning Efficiency ◽  
Bacteria Growth ◽  
Cross Flow Filtration

The zwitterionic homopolymer poly[2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl-dimethyl-(3-sulfopropyl) ammonium hydroxide was coated onto the surface of commercial polyamide reverse osmosis (RO) membranes. Aqueous solutions of the polymer at different concentrations were applied to modify the polyamide membranes through an in situ surface coating procedure. After membrane modification, cross-flow filtration testing was used to test the antifouling potential of the modified membranes. The obtained data were compared with experimental data for unmodified membranes. Each test was done by cross-flow filtering tap water for 60 hours. Yeast extract was added as a nutrient source for the naturally occurring bacteria in tap water, to accelerate bacteria growth. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, contact angle, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and permeation tests were employed to characterize membrane properties. The results confirmed that modifying the membranes enhanced their antifouling properties and cleaning efficiency, the fouling resistance to bacteria improving due to the increased hydrophilicity of the membrane surface after coating. In addition, the water permeability and salt rejection improved. This in situ surface treatment approach for RO membranes could be very important for modifying membranes in their original module assemblies as it increases water production and reduces the salt content.

scholarly journals Silica scale formation and effect of sodium and aluminium ions -29Si NMR study

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 174-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Lunevich ◽  
P. Sanciolo ◽  
A. Smallridge ◽  
S. R. Gray
Keyword(s):  
Reverse Osmosis ◽  
Membrane Surface ◽  
Scale Formation ◽  
Significant Problem ◽  
29Si Nmr ◽  
High Recovery ◽  
Desalination Plant ◽  
Nmr Study ◽  
Silica Scale ◽  
Ro Membrane

Silica scale formation on reverse osmosis (RO) membrane surface is a significant problem for operation of high recovery RO desalination plant.

scholarly journals COMBINATION OF REVERSE OSMOSIS AND ELECTRODEIONIZATION FOR SIMULTANEOUS SUGAR RECOVERY AND SALTS REMOVAL FROM SUGARY WASTEWATER

REAKTOR ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 91 ◽  
Author(s):  
I.N. Widiasa ◽  
I Gede Wenten
Keyword(s):  
Cation Exchange ◽  
Reverse Osmosis ◽  
Membrane Surface ◽  
Type I ◽  
Sugar Solution ◽  
Sugar Recovery ◽  
Permeate Flux ◽  
Strong Base ◽  
Ro Membrane ◽  
Exchange Membrane

An integrated membrane system combining reverse osmosis (RO) and electrodeionization (EDI) is used for simultaneous sugar concentration and salts removal from a synthetic dilute sugar solution as a model of sugar-containing wastewater. The RO system uses a thin film composite RO membrane (Saehan CSM, RE1812-60). Meanwhile, the EDI stack has two diluted compartments, one concentrated compartment, one anode compartment, and one cathode compartment. Commercially available cation exchange membrane (MC-3470) and anion exchange membrane (MA-3475) are used as ionic selective barriers of the EDI stack. Both diluate and concentrate compartments are filled with mixed ion exchange resins (purolite strong acid cation exchange, C-100E and strong base type I anion resins, A-400). Two different operation modes, i.e. RO-EDI and EDI-RO, were assessed. The experimental results show that the observed sugar rejection of RO membrane is more than 99.9% and there is no sugar loss in the EDI stack. This indicates that the hybrid process allows almost total sugar recovery. In addition, significant reduction of salts content from the concentrated sugar solution is obtained. From permeate flux and permeate purity points of view, however, the EDI-RO configuration seems superior to the RO-EDI configuration. It should be emphasized that scale formation on the membrane surface of the concentrate compartment side has to be controlled.

scholarly journals A Novel Method for Determination of Protein in Human Serum Utilizing the Trihydroxylphenylfluorone-Molybdenum(VI) Complex as a Probe by Fluorescence Spectrometry

2007 ◽  
Vol 90 (1) ◽  
pp. 238-243 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qin Wei ◽  
Hongmin Ma ◽  
Caihong Duan ◽  
Jin Wang ◽  
Shuyuan Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aqueous Solution ◽  
Amino Acids ◽  
Detection Limit ◽  
Human Serum ◽  
Fluorescence Intensity ◽  
Acetate Buffer Solution ◽  
Buffer Solution ◽  
Protein Assay ◽  
Novel Method

Abstract The fluorescence intensity of the trihydroxylphenylfluorone-molybdenum(VI) Mo(VI) complex is quenched by protein. Based on this, a novel method for protein assay in aqueous solution was developed. With pH 3.75 acetic acidsodium acetate buffer solution, in the presence of p-octyl polyethylene glycol phenyl ether microemulsion, the quenched fluorescence intensity is proportional to the concentration of bovine serum albumin (BSA) in the range of 07.00 μg/mL, and the detection limit of BSA is 5.65 ng/mL. There is no interference from amino acids and most metal ions. The method developed in this paper has been used for the successful determination of protein in human serum.

Comparative Study on the Treatment of Biologically Treated Textile Effluent by Nanofiltration and Reverse Osmosis for Water Reuse

2012 ◽  
Vol 441 ◽  
pp. 584-588
Author(s):  
San Chuan Yu ◽  
Zhi Wen Chen ◽  
Mei Hong Liu ◽  
Jing Wei Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Reverse Osmosis ◽  
Water Reuse ◽  
Cross Flow ◽  
Water Shortage ◽  
Nanofiltration Membrane ◽  
Reverse Osmosis Membrane ◽  
Permeate Flux ◽  
Flux Decline ◽  
Salinity Reduction ◽  
Ro Membrane

In view of the water shortage, the increasingly severe regulations as well as the release thresholds, it is becoming increasingly necessary to reuse the textile effluents. This work concerned the treatment of textile plant effluent after conventional biological processing by membrane technology for water reuse. Desal5 DK nanofiltration (NF) membrane and BW30 reverse osmosis (RO) membrane were investigated in this study in terms of COD and color removal, salinity reduction as well as permeate flux through cross-flow permeation tests. The results showed that the Desal5 DK nanofiltration membrane exhibited higher stabilized water permeability and flux decline than the reverse osmosis membrane because of its higher porosity and tendency towards fouling. The BW30 reverse osmosis membrane reduced salinity to a great extent than the Desal5 DK nanofiltration membrane. While the nanofiltration membrane exhibited better COD removal efficiency compared to the RO membrane, possibly due to its sieving removal mechanism. The treated water with good enough quality could be recycled back into the process, thereby offering economical benefits by reducing the water consumption and wastewater treatment cost.

scholarly journals Physicochemical Properties of Extracellular Polymeric Substances Produced by Three Bacterial Isolates From Biofouled Reverse Osmosis Membranes

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zahid Ur Rehman ◽  
Johannes S. Vrouwenvelder ◽  
Pascal Saikaly
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Physicochemical Properties ◽  
Reverse Osmosis ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Extracellular Polymeric Substances ◽  
Nmr Analysis ◽  
Bacterial Strains ◽  
H Nmr ◽  
Ro Membrane ◽  
C Nmr

This work describes the chemical composition of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) produced by three bacteria (RO1, RO2, and RO3) isolated from a biofouled reverse osmosis (RO) membrane. We isolated pure cultures of three bacterial strains from a 7-year-old biofouled RO module that was used in a full-scale seawater treatment plant. All the bacterial strains showed similar growth rates, biofilm formation, and produced similar quantities of proteins and polysaccharides. The gel permeation chromatography showed that the EPS produced by all the strains has a high molecular weight; however, the EPS produced by strains RO1 and RO3 showed the highest molecular weight. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H NMR), and Carbon NMR (13C NMR) were used for a detailed characterization of the EPS. These physicochemical analyses allowed us to identify features of EPS that are important for biofilm formation. FTIR analysis indicated the presence of α-1,4 glycosidic linkages (920 cm–1) and amide II (1,550 cm–1) in the EPS, the presence of which has been correlated with the fouling potential of bacteria. The presence of α-glycoside linkages was further confirmed by 13C NMR analysis. The 13C NMR analysis also showed that the EPS produced by these bacteria is chemically similar to foulants obtained from biofouled RO membranes in previous studies. Therefore, our results support the hypothesis that the majority of substances that cause fouling on RO membranes originate from bacteria. Investigation using 1H NMR showed that the EPS contained a high abundance of hydrophobic compounds, and these compounds can lead to flux decline in the membrane processes. Genome sequencing of the isolates showed that they represent novel species of bacteria belonging to the genus Bacillus. Examination of genomes showed that these bacteria carry carbohydrates-active enzymes that play a role in the production of polysaccharides. Further genomic studies allowed us to identify proteins involved in the biosynthesis of EPS and flagella involved in biofilm formation. These analyses provide a glimpse into the physicochemical properties of EPS found on the RO membrane. This knowledge can be useful in the rational design of biofilm control treatments for the RO membrane.

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