Modeling of NF/RO membrane fouling and flux decline using real-time observations

Many numerical models for membrane filtration have been developed to explain and predict fouling mechanisms. The models can simulate flux decline, transmembrane pressure increase, and fouling thickness based on theoretical equations. However, the simulated fouling layer thicknesses have not been val...

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Main Authors: Park, Jongkwan, Jeong, Kwanho, Baek, Sangsoo, Park, Sanghun, Ligaray, Mayzonee, Chong, Tzyy Haur, Cho, Kyung Hwa
Other Authors: Nanyang Environment and Water Research Institute
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: 2021
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Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10356/151151
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Institution: Nanyang Technological University
Language: English
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spelling sg-ntu-dr.10356-1511512021-08-31T04:49:09Z Modeling of NF/RO membrane fouling and flux decline using real-time observations Park, Jongkwan Jeong, Kwanho Baek, Sangsoo Park, Sanghun Ligaray, Mayzonee Chong, Tzyy Haur Cho, Kyung Hwa Nanyang Environment and Water Research Institute Singapore Membrane Technology Centre Engineering::Environmental engineering Membrane Fouling Model Optical Coherence Tomography Real Time Fouling Monitoring Many numerical models for membrane filtration have been developed to explain and predict fouling mechanisms. The models can simulate flux decline, transmembrane pressure increase, and fouling thickness based on theoretical equations. However, the simulated fouling layer thicknesses have not been validated by in-situ observations on membrane surfaces because the membrane system is operated under a sealed and pressurized condition. In this study, humic acid fouling layers on nanofiltration and reverse osmosis membranes were monitored in-situ and in real-time using optical coherence tomography (OCT). The OCT system detected fouling layer growth over time, and showed that the compact and thick fouling layer had an estimated thickness of 80 µm. When comparing the thickness of the fouling layer between OCT and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images, the OCT images showed values that were approximately 8 times higher than those of the SEM images. By comparing the obtained fouling thickness values with the estimated results, two existing models (Faridirad model and pore blockage-cake filtration model) were validated in terms of root mean square error (RMSE), Akaike Information Criteria (AIC), and coefficient of determination (R2). Both models showed similar high R2 (≥0.97) and low RMSE (<10-5) values, but the pore blockage-cake filtration model had lower AIC values than the Faridirad model. This study highlighted that the in-situ and real-time monitoring of fouling thickness can provide significant information for developing an accurate and precise membrane model. This work was supported by the Korea Agency for Infrastructure Technology Advancement (KAIA) grant funded by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (Grant 18IFIP-B116951-03) and by the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning(KETEP) through “Human Resources Program in Energy Technology” (No. 20164030201010/No. 20184030202250) funded by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Republic of Korea. 2021-08-31T04:49:08Z 2021-08-31T04:49:08Z 2019 Journal Article Park, J., Jeong, K., Baek, S., Park, S., Ligaray, M., Chong, T. H. & Cho, K. H. (2019). Modeling of NF/RO membrane fouling and flux decline using real-time observations. Journal of Membrane Science, 576, 66-77. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2019.01.031 0376-7388 0000-0003-1739-1274 https://hdl.handle.net/10356/151151 10.1016/j.memsci.2019.01.031 2-s2.0-85060478499 576 66 77 en Journal of Membrane Science © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
institution Nanyang Technological University
building NTU Library
continent Asia
country Singapore
Singapore
content_provider NTU Library
collection DR-NTU
language English
topic Engineering::Environmental engineering
Membrane Fouling Model
Optical Coherence Tomography
Real Time Fouling Monitoring
spellingShingle Engineering::Environmental engineering
Membrane Fouling Model
Optical Coherence Tomography
Real Time Fouling Monitoring
Park, Jongkwan
Jeong, Kwanho
Baek, Sangsoo
Park, Sanghun
Ligaray, Mayzonee
Chong, Tzyy Haur
Cho, Kyung Hwa
Modeling of NF/RO membrane fouling and flux decline using real-time observations
description Many numerical models for membrane filtration have been developed to explain and predict fouling mechanisms. The models can simulate flux decline, transmembrane pressure increase, and fouling thickness based on theoretical equations. However, the simulated fouling layer thicknesses have not been validated by in-situ observations on membrane surfaces because the membrane system is operated under a sealed and pressurized condition. In this study, humic acid fouling layers on nanofiltration and reverse osmosis membranes were monitored in-situ and in real-time using optical coherence tomography (OCT). The OCT system detected fouling layer growth over time, and showed that the compact and thick fouling layer had an estimated thickness of 80 µm. When comparing the thickness of the fouling layer between OCT and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images, the OCT images showed values that were approximately 8 times higher than those of the SEM images. By comparing the obtained fouling thickness values with the estimated results, two existing models (Faridirad model and pore blockage-cake filtration model) were validated in terms of root mean square error (RMSE), Akaike Information Criteria (AIC), and coefficient of determination (R2). Both models showed similar high R2 (≥0.97) and low RMSE (<10-5) values, but the pore blockage-cake filtration model had lower AIC values than the Faridirad model. This study highlighted that the in-situ and real-time monitoring of fouling thickness can provide significant information for developing an accurate and precise membrane model.
author2 Nanyang Environment and Water Research Institute
author_facet Nanyang Environment and Water Research Institute
Park, Jongkwan
Jeong, Kwanho
Baek, Sangsoo
Park, Sanghun
Ligaray, Mayzonee
Chong, Tzyy Haur
Cho, Kyung Hwa
format Article
author Park, Jongkwan
Jeong, Kwanho
Baek, Sangsoo
Park, Sanghun
Ligaray, Mayzonee
Chong, Tzyy Haur
Cho, Kyung Hwa
author_sort Park, Jongkwan
title Modeling of NF/RO membrane fouling and flux decline using real-time observations
title_short Modeling of NF/RO membrane fouling and flux decline using real-time observations
title_full Modeling of NF/RO membrane fouling and flux decline using real-time observations
title_fullStr Modeling of NF/RO membrane fouling and flux decline using real-time observations
title_full_unstemmed Modeling of NF/RO membrane fouling and flux decline using real-time observations
title_sort modeling of nf/ro membrane fouling and flux decline using real-time observations
publishDate 2021
url https://hdl.handle.net/10356/151151
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