Modeling of RO Flux Decline in Textile Wastewater Reclamation Plants Using Variable Fouling Index

Abstract

This research proposes the model for estimation of flux decline using the concept of “variable fouling index.” The change in fouling index is induced by the accumulative foulant on the membrane and by the adhesion of the foulant on the membrane. The analysis of operating data of textile wastewater reclamation plants using the variable fouling index concept has shown that this model which was derived from short-term data of bench scale achieves a promising accuracy for the estimation of flux decline and increase of net driving pressure in a long-term operation of pilot-scale and full-scale system.