| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 622866 | Desalination | 2016 | 7 Pages |
•Adsorption/fouling-layer model analyzes the flux decline during RO filtration.•The model provided a qualitative appreciation of the flux decline.•The factors of filtration time and membrane flux are considered in the fouling model.•The main interfacial interaction in each fouling step was discussed.
A combined model is developed for flux decline of reverse osmosis (RO) membranes, which accounts for initial fouling due to adsorption and subsequent fouling due to the growth of a fouling layer. The predicted data are in excellent agreement with the experimental ones obtained over crossflow filtration of organic wastewaters using aromatic polyamide RO membranes over the entire course of the filtration. The model also provides a smooth transition from the adsorption regime to the fouling layer filtration regime. Based on the flux profiles and the analysis of the membrane surface, a two-step fouling mechanism is proposed to describe the evolution of fouling during continuous crossflow operation of RO membranes.
Graphical abstractThe development of membrane fouling.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide
