Correlation of organic fouling resistances in RO and UF membrane filtration under constant flux and constant pressure

By employing fluids of the same composition (regarding foulants and ionic strength) specific fouling resistances are measured in the constant flux filtration mode, in dead-end UF and cross-flow RO tests, and compared with the respective resistances determined under constant pressure. Sodium alginate (SA) alone and mixtures with humic acids (HA), in presence of calcium, were used as typical organic foulants in feedwaters of two ionic strengths (TDS = 500 and 2000 mg/L). Plotting resistances α, from UF (or RO) constant pressure and constant flux tests, versus pressure drop across the cake ΔPc, estimated at the same deposited mass density, very good agreement was obtained; increasing resistance α with ΔPc was observed due to cake compressibility, as expected. Regarding cake structure, the dominant role of alginates, in proportion greater than 25% in mixtures with HA, is reflected in the resistances, which exhibit approximately the same compressibility index. Moreover, at the higher alginate proportions and for the greater salinity (TDS 2000 mg/L), the resistances from both UF and RO tests are correlated satisfactorily, versus ΔPc, by a single expression. These results significantly contribute towards developing reliable tools for assessing water fouling potential and predicting RO membrane fouling evolution in desalination plants.

► Sodium alginate and mixtures with humic acids used, with two water salinities.
► Fouling resistances α measured in constant flux, dead-end UF and cross-flow RO.
► Resistances α from constant flux and constant pressure tests are correlated well.
► Correlation of resistances α versus cake pressure drop ΔPc for fixed deposited mass.
► Tools for determining water fouling potential and RO membrane fouling evolution.