Comparison of MFI-UF constant pressure, MFI-UF constant flux and Crossflow Sampler-Modified Fouling Index Ultrafiltration (CFS-MFIUF)

Understanding the foulant deposition mechanism during crossflow filtration is critical in developing indices to predict fouling propensity of feed water for reverse osmosis (RO). Factors affecting the performance on different fouling indices such as MFI-UF constant pressure, MFI-UF constant flux and newly proposed fouling index, CFS-MFIUF were investigated. Crossflow Sampler-Modified Fouling Index Ultrafiltration (CFS-MFIUF) utilises a typical crossflow unit to simulate the hydrodynamic conditions in the actual RO units followed by a dead-end unit to measure the fouling propensity of foulants. CFS-MFIUF was found sensitive to crossflow velocity. The crossflow velocity in the crossflow sampler unit influences the particle concentration and the particle size distribution in its permeate. CFS-MFIUF was also found sensitive to the permeate flux of both CFS and the dead-end cell. To closely simulate the hydrodynamic conditions of a crossflow RO unit, the flux used for CFS-MFIUF measurement was critical. The best option is to operate both the CFS and dead-end permeate flux at flux which is normally operated at industry RO units (∼20 L/m2 h), but this would prolong the test duration excessively. In this study, the dead-end flux was accelerated by reducing the dead-end membrane area while maintaining the CFS permeate flux at 20 L/m2 h. By doing so, a flux correction factor was investigated and applied to correlate the CFS-MFIUF measured at dead-end flux of 120 L/m2 h to CFS-MFIUF measured at dead-end flux of 20 L/m2 h for RO fouling rate prediction. Using this flux correction factor, the test duration of CFS-MFIUF can be shortened from 15 h to 2 h.

Research highlights► The hydrodynamic conditions during the actual RO filtration were considered during the CFS-MFIUF test. ► CFS-MFIUF was found to be sensitive to crossflow velocity. ► CFS-MFIUF was also found to be affected by the permeate flux of both CFS and the dead-end cell. ► A correction factor can be applied in the CFS-MFIUF to shorten the duration of test.