A novel method for the accurate characterization of transport and structural parameters of deformable membranes utilized in pressure- and osmotically driven membrane processes

Peters, Christian Daugaard; Ng, Daniel Yee Fan; Hankins, Nicholas P.; She, Qianhong

doi:10.1016/j.memsci.2021.119720

Cited by 12 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 67 publications

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“…Two commercially available membranes, namely, an aquaporin (AQP)-based TFC membrane from Aquaporin A/S (Copenhagen, Denmark) and a FilmTec flat-sheet brackish water RO membrane (BW30LE), were used in this study to investigate OARO fouling. Both membranes were considered to be suitable OARO membranes and were already fully characterized at operating pressures of up to 60 bar . The membranes were stored at 4 °C and extensively rinsed and soaked in Milli-Q water for over 24 h before use.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To reduce the spacer openings, the RO permeate carrier was placed on top of the 3D printed spacer to further improve the membrane’s support structure. This spacer backing used in the draw channel could fully support the membranes at operating pressures of up to 60 bar . More information on the 3D printed spacer is given in Peters et al No feed spacer was used in the membrane fouling experiments to accelerate fouling.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…OARO is susceptible to both severe membrane deformation and fouling, as OARO membranes (1) are exposed to high hydraulic pressures, (2) ideally have a thin substrate to minimize internal concentration polarization (ICP), and (3) are used to treat highly concentrated solutions with impurities. In comparison to other membrane desalination processes, OARO can utilize the same feed and draw solution that can contain a range of organic and inorganic fouling species and may vary from wastewater, seawater to concentrated brine. − Hence, fouling on both sides of the OARO membrane is highly likely.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As OARO exhibits certain similarities to FO, dilutive ICP at the draw side will significantly reduce the effective driving force and thus result in a lower-than-expected flux . On the other hand, several studies on FO fouling reported that flux remained relatively stable during membrane fouling in AL-FS mode due to the ICP self-compensation effect. − Tang et al related this observation to the fact that any minute reduction in the membrane’s water flux due to fouling will immediately be counterbalanced by a reduction in ICP, and hence, will result in a milder reduction of the membrane’s water flux.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Exploring the Limitations of Osmotically Assisted Reverse Osmosis: Membrane Fouling and the Limiting Flux

Peters

et al. 2022

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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Osmotically assisted reverse osmosis (OARO) has shown great potential for low-cost and energy-efficient brine management. However, its performance can be significantly limited by membrane fouling. Here, we performed for the first time a comprehensive study on OARO membrane fouling, explored the associated fouling mechanisms, and evaluated fouling reversibility via simple physical cleaning strategies. First, internal membrane fouling at the draw (permeate) side was shown to be insignificant. Flux behavior in short-term operation was correlated to both the evolution of fouling and the change of internal concentration polarization. In long-term operation, membrane fouling constrained the OARO water flux to a singular, common upper limit, in terms of limiting flux, which was demonstrated to be independent of operating pressures and membrane properties. Generally, once the limiting flux was exceeded, the OARO process performance could not be improved by higher-pressure operation or by utilizing more permeable and selective membranes. Instead, different cyclic cleaning strategies were shown to be more promising alternatives for improving performance. While both surface flushing and osmotic backwashing (OB) were found to be highly effective when using pure water, a full flux recovery could not be achieved when a nonpure solution was used during OB due to severe internal clogging during OB. All in all, the presented findings provided significant implications for OARO operation and fouling control.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Exploring the Limitations of Osmotically Assisted Reverse Osmosis: Membrane Fouling and the Limiting Flux

Peters

et al. 2022

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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“…and using the equations presented in Section 2.5. As the membrane properties slightly alter depending on the operational pressure 14 , different in A, B and S have been use in obtaining these results. The used A, B and S values of the AQP membrane are given in Table S1.…”

Section: S5 Foulant Resistance At Different Operating Pressuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring the Limitations of Osmotically Assisted Reverse Osmosis: Membrane Fouling and the Limiting Flux

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Pilot‐Scale Evaluation of Spiral‐Wound Modules in Osmotically Assisted Reverse Osmosis

Turetta,

Bertucco,

Briani

et al. 2024

Chem Eng & Technol

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The osmotically assisted reverse osmosis (OARO) process is gaining attention for cost‐effective aqueous solution concentration. However, there is a lack of pilot‐scale studies. This research used two spiral‐wound modules in a pilot‐scale plant. The first one, an adapted commercial reverse osmosis module, showed no positive results, likely due to excessive membrane thickness and high internal concentration polarization. In contrast, the second one consisting of a novel forward osmosis prototype demonstrated promising outcomes, achieving water fluxes exceeding 2 L m−2 h−1 even at high salt concentrations (50 g L−1) and relatively low applied pressures (above 12 bar). The study highlights OARO potential, underscores limitations, and emphasizes the need for dedicated module design.

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A novel method for the accurate characterization of transport and structural parameters of deformable membranes utilized in pressure- and osmotically driven membrane processes

Cited by 12 publications

References 67 publications

Exploring the Limitations of Osmotically Assisted Reverse Osmosis: Membrane Fouling and the Limiting Flux

Exploring the Limitations of Osmotically Assisted Reverse Osmosis: Membrane Fouling and the Limiting Flux

Exploring the Limitations of Osmotically Assisted Reverse Osmosis: Membrane Fouling and the Limiting Flux

Pilot‐Scale Evaluation of Spiral‐Wound Modules in Osmotically Assisted Reverse Osmosis

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