Fouling of Reverse Osmosis (RO) and Nanofiltration (NF) Membranes by Low Molecular Weight Organic Compounds (LMWOCs), Part 2: Countermeasures and Applications
Fouling, particularly from organic fouling and biofouling, poses a significant challenge in the RO/NF treatment of marginal waters, especially wastewater. Part 1 of this review detailed LMWOC fouling mechanisms. Part 2 focuses on countermeasures and applications. Effective fouling prevention relies...
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MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Membranes |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/15/3/94 |
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| author | Yasushi Maeda |
| author_facet | Yasushi Maeda |
| author_sort | Yasushi Maeda |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Fouling, particularly from organic fouling and biofouling, poses a significant challenge in the RO/NF treatment of marginal waters, especially wastewater. Part 1 of this review detailed LMWOC fouling mechanisms. Part 2 focuses on countermeasures and applications. Effective fouling prevention relies on pretreatment, early detection, cleaning, optimized operation, and in situ membrane modification. Accurate fouling prediction is crucial. Preliminary tests using flat-sheet membranes or small-diameter modules are recommended. Currently, no specific fouling index exists for LMWOC fouling. Hydrophobic membranes, such as polyamide, are proposed as alternatives to the standard silt density index (SDI) filter. Once LMWOC fouling potential is assessed, suitable pretreatment methods can be implemented. These include adsorbents, specialized water filters, oxidative decomposition, and antifoulants. In situations where pretreatment is impractical, alternative strategies like high pH operation might be considered. Membrane cleaning becomes necessary upon fouling; however, standard cleaning often fails to fully restore the original flow. Specialized CIP chemicals, including organic solvent-based and oxidative agents, are required. Conversely, LMWOC fouling typically leads to a stabilized flow rate reduction rather than a continuous decline. Aggressive cleaning may be avoided if the resulting operating pressure increase is acceptable. When a significant flow rate drop occurs and LMWOC fouling is suspected, analysis of the fouled membrane is necessary for identification. Standard FT-IR often fails to detect LMWOCs. Solvent extraction followed by GC-MS is required. Pyrolysis GC-MS, which eliminates the extraction step, shows promise. The review concludes by examining how LMWOCs can be strategically utilized to enhance membrane rejection and restore deteriorated membranes. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c1cc5cefc2ea43ef9554996fb4ee07d9 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2077-0375 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Membranes |
| spelling | doaj-art-c1cc5cefc2ea43ef9554996fb4ee07d92025-08-20T01:48:48ZengMDPI AGMembranes2077-03752025-03-011539410.3390/membranes15030094Fouling of Reverse Osmosis (RO) and Nanofiltration (NF) Membranes by Low Molecular Weight Organic Compounds (LMWOCs), Part 2: Countermeasures and ApplicationsYasushi Maeda0LG Chem Japan Co., Ltd., Kyobashi Trust Tower 12F, 2-1-3 Kyobashi Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0031, JapanFouling, particularly from organic fouling and biofouling, poses a significant challenge in the RO/NF treatment of marginal waters, especially wastewater. Part 1 of this review detailed LMWOC fouling mechanisms. Part 2 focuses on countermeasures and applications. Effective fouling prevention relies on pretreatment, early detection, cleaning, optimized operation, and in situ membrane modification. Accurate fouling prediction is crucial. Preliminary tests using flat-sheet membranes or small-diameter modules are recommended. Currently, no specific fouling index exists for LMWOC fouling. Hydrophobic membranes, such as polyamide, are proposed as alternatives to the standard silt density index (SDI) filter. Once LMWOC fouling potential is assessed, suitable pretreatment methods can be implemented. These include adsorbents, specialized water filters, oxidative decomposition, and antifoulants. In situations where pretreatment is impractical, alternative strategies like high pH operation might be considered. Membrane cleaning becomes necessary upon fouling; however, standard cleaning often fails to fully restore the original flow. Specialized CIP chemicals, including organic solvent-based and oxidative agents, are required. Conversely, LMWOC fouling typically leads to a stabilized flow rate reduction rather than a continuous decline. Aggressive cleaning may be avoided if the resulting operating pressure increase is acceptable. When a significant flow rate drop occurs and LMWOC fouling is suspected, analysis of the fouled membrane is necessary for identification. Standard FT-IR often fails to detect LMWOCs. Solvent extraction followed by GC-MS is required. Pyrolysis GC-MS, which eliminates the extraction step, shows promise. The review concludes by examining how LMWOCs can be strategically utilized to enhance membrane rejection and restore deteriorated membranes.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/15/3/94foulingorganic foulinginternal foulingflow lossreverse osmosisnanofiltration |
| spellingShingle | Yasushi Maeda Fouling of Reverse Osmosis (RO) and Nanofiltration (NF) Membranes by Low Molecular Weight Organic Compounds (LMWOCs), Part 2: Countermeasures and Applications Membranes fouling organic fouling internal fouling flow loss reverse osmosis nanofiltration |
| title | Fouling of Reverse Osmosis (RO) and Nanofiltration (NF) Membranes by Low Molecular Weight Organic Compounds (LMWOCs), Part 2: Countermeasures and Applications |
| title_full | Fouling of Reverse Osmosis (RO) and Nanofiltration (NF) Membranes by Low Molecular Weight Organic Compounds (LMWOCs), Part 2: Countermeasures and Applications |
| title_fullStr | Fouling of Reverse Osmosis (RO) and Nanofiltration (NF) Membranes by Low Molecular Weight Organic Compounds (LMWOCs), Part 2: Countermeasures and Applications |
| title_full_unstemmed | Fouling of Reverse Osmosis (RO) and Nanofiltration (NF) Membranes by Low Molecular Weight Organic Compounds (LMWOCs), Part 2: Countermeasures and Applications |
| title_short | Fouling of Reverse Osmosis (RO) and Nanofiltration (NF) Membranes by Low Molecular Weight Organic Compounds (LMWOCs), Part 2: Countermeasures and Applications |
| title_sort | fouling of reverse osmosis ro and nanofiltration nf membranes by low molecular weight organic compounds lmwocs part 2 countermeasures and applications |
| topic | fouling organic fouling internal fouling flow loss reverse osmosis nanofiltration |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/15/3/94 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT yasushimaeda foulingofreverseosmosisroandnanofiltrationnfmembranesbylowmolecularweightorganiccompoundslmwocspart2countermeasuresandapplications |