Insights into dynamic evolution of combined scaling-biofouling in reverse osmosis

Abstract

Although extensive research has focused on individual membrane fouling, there is still a lack of studies regarding combined scaling-biofouling, which is more commonly encountered in practical membrane desalination processes due to the coexistence of inorganic scalants and microorganisms. To our best knowledge, it is the first study that elaborated the dynamic evolution of combined scaling-biofouling in the reverse osmosis (RO) cross-flow filtration process, compared with gypsum scaling and biofouling alone. The results indicated that scaling ions (35 mM CaCl2 + 20 mM Na2SO4) stimulated protein secretion but inhibited that of polysaccharide and total organic carbon (TOC). The gradually formed scaling layer evidently enhanced the hydrophilicity of the fouled membrane, and consequently improved the repulsion of membranes against microbes and the secreted extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), proved by the augmented energy barrier for microbial adhesion through XDLVO interfacial energy analysis, and resulted in the slower flux decline at the later stage of combined scaling-biofouling. In the other perspective, microorganisms and EPS diminished the (020), (021) and (041) facets of gypsum crystals, decreased the crystallinity and size of gypsum crystals, and thus prolonged the formation of inorganic scaling. It was suggested that scaling ions should be effectively controlled through pretreatment as they contributed to more rapid flux decline, as the cleaning efficiency of Ca2+ ions decreased from 84.8 % to 57 % after they combined with EPS, and thus chiefly contributed to reversible membrane fouling resistance. This study fills in the knowledge gap on interactions between gypsum scaling and biofouling during the formation of combined scaling-biofouling in RO filtration, which had significant environmental effects under the strict industrial wastewater discharge standards and zero liquid discharge (ZLD) requirements.