 |
 
|
•
•
•
•
|
|
Colloidal fouling of reverse osmosis membranes
Menachem Elimelech, University of California, Los Angeles
UC Water Resources Center Technical Completion Report W-793
| ||||||
ABSTRACT: The general objective of this project was to better understand the role of
chemical factors in colloidal fouling of reverse osmosis membranes. The results of this
research are of paramount importance for efficient operation of RO installations used
in water reclamation and reuse and in potable water treatment.
Fouling experiments of thin film composite and cellulose acetate reverse
osmosis membranes by aluminum oxide colloids are described. Membrane fouling
was investigated at various solution chemistries under fixed hydrodynamic conditions.
Results show that the fouling rate increases with an increase in the ionic strength of the
solution. Fouling was significant at high ionic strengths, including in the presence of
background dissolved organic matter, resulting in a gradual decrease in product water
flux and salt rejection. Under the chemical conditions tested, colloidal fouling was
found to be reversible, thus indicating that pore blockage is not an important
mechanism in colloidal fouling of reverse osmosis membranes.
A qualitative model for the role of chemical-colloidal interactions in colloidal
fouling of reverse osmosis membranes is proposed. Fouling is controlled by particle membrane
and particle-retained particle interactions, which, in turn, are determined by
solution chemistry, chemical properties of colloids and membranes, and the magnitude
of permeation drag.
SUGGESTED CITATION:
Menachem Elimelech,
"Colloidal fouling of reverse osmosis membranes"
(September 1, 1994).
University of California Water Resources Center.
Technical Completion Reports.
Paper 793.
http://repositories.cdlib.org/wrc/tcr/793
|
eScholarship is a service of the California Digital Library | 
|