Mechanism and Prevention of Reverse Osmosis Membrane Fouling.

摘要

New, high performance reverse osmosis membranes experience a troublesome rate of fouling by colloidal and dissolved constituents in feedwaters. In field tests on nonbrackish surface waters, for instance, the U.S. Army Mobility Equipment R and D Command (MERADCOM) has observed performance declines in spiral wrap membrane modules that limit their useful life to three months. This problem is not experienced only by MERADCOM but occurs to varying degrees throughout the water treatment industry where reverse osmosis processes are used. The purpose of this research program is to investigate the incipient fouling mechanisms taking place on membrane surfaces, characterize the foulant deposits, and search for practical means to retard or eliminate the membrane fouling process. Naturally occurring surface waters were to be used in these tests because of the difficulty in simulating naturally occurring foulants.