Abstract
The aim of this paper was to provide novel insights into the biofouling mechanism of transparent exopolymer particles (TEP) production through the use of static and laboratory-based cross flow experiments.
Highlights
Throughout the world, the desalination of seawater is expanding in response to climate change and associated increases in temperature, desertification and drought.[1]
Biofilms formed on Seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) membranes submerged in RO feed tank water and incubated under static conditions were analyzed for biofouling microorganisms
Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S region from bacteria isolated from the biofilm sample revealed that the majority of the isolated strains belonged to the α-Proteobacteria (39%), γ-Proteobacteria (38%) and Actinobacteria (22%) classes
Summary
Throughout the world, the desalination of seawater is expanding in response to climate change and associated increases in temperature, desertification and drought.[1]. Membrane fouling still occurs even after seawater pretreatment and cross-flowing within the RO system.[4] This results in a negative impact on the performance of the system through a decline in the water flux as well as an increase in the amount of seawater rejected, energy requirement and system pressure.[2,5,6]. The control of biofilm formation is a complicated and controversial process involving the reduction of microorganisms within the RO water, monitoring strategies and controlling factors such as nutrient concentrations and physicochemical interactions between microorganism and membrane surface.[7] In particular, bacteria are highly abundant organisms in aquatic habitats and can take part in the biofouling process.[8]
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