Combined organic-inorganic fouling of forward osmosis hollow fiber membranes

Elizabeth Arkhangelsky, Filicia Wicaksana, Chuyang Tang, Abdulrahman A. Al-Rabiah, Saeed M. Al-Zahrani, Rong Wang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

83 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This research focused on combined organic-inorganic fouling and cleaning studies of forward osmosis (FO) membranes. Various organic/inorganic model foulants such as sodium alginate, bovine serum albumin (BSA) and silica nanoparticles were applied to polyamide-polyethersulfone FO hollow fiber membranes fabricated in our laboratory. In order to understand all possible interactions, experiments were performed with a single foulant as well as combinations of foulants. Experimental results suggested that the degree of FO membrane fouling could be promoted by synergistic effect of organic foulants, the presence of divalent cations, low cross-flow velocity and high permeation drag force. The water flux of fouled FO hollow fibers could be fully restored by simple physical cleaning. It was also found that hydrodynamic regime played an important role in combined organic-inorganic fouling of FO membranes.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)6329-6338
Number of pages10
JournalWater Research
Volume46
Issue number19
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 1 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Alginate
  • Bovine serum albumin (BSA)
  • Cleaning
  • Forward osmosis
  • Fouling mechanism
  • Organic-inorganic fouling
  • Silica

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Water Science and Technology
  • Ecological Modelling
  • Pollution
  • Waste Management and Disposal
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Civil and Structural Engineering

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