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17:
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Membrane performance can suffer from fouling-induced mechanical degradation. This may result in unwanted pressure and flux gradients, both of the solute and the solvent. The mechanism of membrane failure may be the direct consequence of fouling by means of physical alterations to the membrane, or by
141:
Recent fundamental studies indicate that membrane fouling is influenced by numerous factors such as system hydrodynamics, operating conditions, membrane properties, and material properties (solute). At low pressure, low feed concentration, and high feed velocity, concentration polarisation effects
287:. This is a process whereby existing imperfections in the membrane (such as microcracks) can grow and propagate due to the complex stress state dynamics. These impacts are not unknown; A 2007 study simulated aging via cyclic backwash pulses, and reported similar embrittlement due to the effects.
282:
Beyond direct physical damage, fouling can also induce indirect effects on membrane mechanical properties due to the strategies used to combat it. Backwashing subjects not only the particulates, but the membrane to strong shear forces. Greater fouling frequency therefore exposes the membrane to
130:. Formation of a strong matrix of fouling layer with the solute during a continuous filtration process will result in reversible fouling being transformed into an irreversible fouling layer. Irreversible fouling is the strong attachment of particles which cannot be removed by physical cleaning.
261:
It is important to note that the majority of membranes used commercially are polymers such as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyacrylonitrile (PAN), polyethersulfone (PES) and polyamide (PA), which are materials which offer desirable properties (elasticity and strength) to withstand constant
269:
material with a soft polymer membrane, weakening its structural integrity. Degradation of the mechanical structure makes the membranes more susceptible to mechanical damage, potentially reducing its overall lifespan. A 2006 study observed this degradation by uniaxially straining
208:
Additionally, researchers have investigated the impact different coatings have on resistance to wear. A 2018 study from the Global Aqua
Innovation Center in Japan reported improved surface roughness properties of PA membranes by coating them with multi-walled carbon nanotubes.
158:(TMP), Permeability, and Resistance are the best indicators of membrane fouling. Under constant flux operation, TMP increases to compensate for the fouling. On the other hand, under constant pressure operation, flux declines due to membrane fouling. In some technologies such as
290:
Additionally, repeated chemical treatment of fouling subjects membranes to excessive amounts of chlorine or other treatment chemicals which can cause degradation. This chemical degradation can lead to delamination of the membrane components, ultimately leading to failure.
422:
Tow, Emily W.; Warsinger, David M.; Trueworthy, Ali M.; Swaminathan, Jaichander; Thiel, Gregory P.; Zubair, Syed M.; Myerson, Allan S.; Lienhard V, John H. (2018). "Comparison of fouling propensity between reverse osmosis, forward osmosis, and membrane distillation".
586:
689:
Warsinger, David M.; Servi, Amelia; Connors, Grace B.; Mavukkandy, Musthafa O.; Arafat, Hassan A.; Gleason, Karen K.; Lienhard V, John H. (2017). "Reversing membrane wetting in membrane distillation: comparing dryout to backwashing with pressurized air".
212:
Another strategy to minimise membrane fouling is the use of the appropriate membrane for a specific operation. The nature of the feed water must first be known; then a membrane that is less prone to fouling with that solution is chosen. For aqueous
469:
142:
are minimal and flux is almost proportional to trans-membrane pressure difference. However, in the high pressure range, flux becomes almost independent of applied pressure. Deviation from linear flux-pressure relation is due to
571:
Choi, H., Zhang, K., Dionysiou, D.D.,Oerther, D.B.& Sorial, G.A. (2005) Effect of permeate flux and tangential flow on membrane fouling for wastewater treatment. J. Separation and
Purification Technology 45:
835:
Warsinger, David M.; Servi, Amelia; Van
Belleghem, Sarah; Gonzalez, Jocelyn; Swaminathan, Jaichander; Kharraz, Jehad; Chung, Hyung Won; Arafat, Hassan A.; Gleason, Karen K.; Lienhard V, John H. (2016).
325:
Meng, Fangang; Yang, Fenglin; Shi, Baoqiang; Zhang, Hanmin (February 2008). "A comprehensive study on membrane fouling in submerged membrane bioreactors operated under different aeration intensities".
126:
Fouling can be divided into reversible and irreversible fouling based on the attachment strength of particles to the membrane surface. Reversible fouling can be removed by a strong shear force or
800:
Goosen, M. F. A.; Sablani, S. S.; Al-Hinai, H.; Al-Obeidani, S.; Al-Belushi, R.; Jackson, D. (2005-01-02). "Fouling of
Reverse Osmosis and Ultrafiltration Membranes: A Critical Review".
265:
The accumulation of foulants can lead to the formation of cracks, surface roughening, and changes in pore size distribution. These physical changes are the result of impacts of
837:
735:
Ortiz-Medina, J.; Inukai, S.; Araki, T.; Morelos-Gomez, A.; Cruz-Silva, R.; Takeuchi, K.; Noguchi, T.; Kawaguchi, T.; Terrones, M.; Endo, M. (2018-02-09).
162:, fouling reduces membrane rejection, and thus permeate quality (e.g. as measured by electrical conductivity) is a primary measurement for fouling.
528:
Hong, Seungkwan; Elimelech, Menachem (1997). "Chemical and physical aspects of natural organic matter (NOM) fouling of nanofiltration membranes".
185:
Membranes can be cleaned physically, biologically or chemically. Physical cleaning includes gas scour, sponges, water jets or backflushing using
262:
osmotic pressures. The accumulation of foulants, however, degrades these properties through physical alterations to the membrane structure.
228:
Operating conditions during membrane filtration are also vital, as they may affect fouling conditions during filtration. For instance,
1036:"Chlorine-resistant membrane for reverse osmosis. I. Correlation between chemical structures and chlorine resistance of polyamides"
146:. At low feed flow rate or with high feed concentration, the limiting flux situation is observed even at relatively low pressures.
587:"Theoretical framework for predicting inorganic fouling in membrane distillation and experimental validation with calcium sulfate"
300:
352:
Warsinger, David M.; Tow, Emily W.; Maswadeh, Laith A.; Connors, Grace B.; Swaminathan, Jaichander; Lienhard V, John H. (2018).
244:). In some applications such as in many MBR applications, air scour is used to promote turbulence at the membrane surface.
127:
182:, it can be minimised by strategies such as cleaning, appropriate membrane selection and choice of operating conditions.
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468:
Warsinger, David M.; Swaminathan, Jaichander; Guillen-Burrieza, Elena; Arafat, Hassan A.; Lienhard V, John H. (2015).
143:
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155:
838:"Combining air recharging and membrane superhydrophobicity for fouling prevention in membrane distillation"
274:
that were both clean and fouled. The researchers reported the relative embrittlement of the fouled fibers.
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Fouling of a membrane in different steps 1–5. 1) virgin membrane 2) pore narrowing 3) pore blocking 4)
271:
222:
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generated during the filtration entails a thinner deposit layer and therefore minimises fouling (e.g.
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Wang, Kui; Abdalla, Ahmed A.; Khaleel, Mohammad A.; Hilal, Nidal; Khraisheh, Marwan K. (2017-01-02).
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so that the membrane's performance is degraded. It is a major obstacle to the widespread use of this
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737:"Robust water desalination membranes against degradation using high loads of carbon nanotubes"
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Ghosh, R., 2006, Principles of
Bioseparation Engineering, World Scientific Publishing Pvt Ltd.
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Baker, R.W. (2004). Membrane
Technology and Applications, England: John Wiley & Sons Ltd
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Warsinger, David M.; Tow, Emily W.; Swaminathan, Jaichander; Lienhard V, John H. (2017).
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decline and affect the quality of the water produced. Severe fouling may require intense
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Liberman, Boris (2018). "Three methods of forward osmosis cleaning for RO membranes".
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470:"Scaling and fouling in membrane distillation for desalination applications: A review"
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indirect means, in which the foulant removal processes yield membrane damage.
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cleaning or membrane replacement. This increases the operating costs of a
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Zondervan, Edwin; Zwijnenburg, Arie; Roffel, Brian (2007-08-15).
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Even though membrane fouling is an inevitable phenomenon during
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Impact of
Fouling on the Mechanical Properties of Membranes
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surface or in membrane pores in a processes such as in a
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Environmental
Science: Water Research & Technology
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Kawaguchi, Takeyuki; Tamura, Hiroki (November 1984).
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Sediment accumulated on the reverse osmosis membrane.
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938:Nghiem, Long D.; Schäfer, Andrea I. (2006-02-05).
197:, whereas chemical cleaning involves the use of
189:or pressurized air. Biological cleaning uses
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327:Separation and Purification Technology
138:Factors that affect membrane fouling:
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899:. 50th anniversary of Desalination.
24:layer formation 5) cleaned membrane
205:to remove foulants and impurities.
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1001:Journal of Membrane Science
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594:Journal of Membrane Science
530:Journal of Membrane Science
497:10.1016/j.desal.2014.06.031
425:Journal of Membrane Science
278:Indirect Impacts of Fouling
221:membrane is preferred. For
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761:10.1038/s41598-018-21192-5
144:concentration polarization
257:Direct Impacts of Fouling
123:(mineral precipitates).
31:is a process whereby a
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156:transmembrane pressure
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223:membrane distillation
193:to remove all viable
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160:membrane distillation
57:membrane distillation
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242:tubular pinch effect
230:crossflow filtration
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753:2018NatSR...8.2748O
660:2018Desal.431...22L
489:2015Desal.356..294W
370:2018WatRe.137..384W
234:dead end filtration
180:membrane filtration
134:Influential factors
45:membrane bioreactor
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431:: 352–364.
364:: 384–394.
219:hydrophilic
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128:backwashing
75:. Membrane
1066:Categories
312:References
238:turbulence
236:, because
215:filtration
73:technology
1021:0376-7388
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93:colloidal
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406:29573825
295:See also
191:biocides
187:permeate
101:bacteria
95:(clays,
85:chemical
41:membrane
37:particle
33:solution
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