Understanding of surface fouling of brackish water reverse osmosis spiral wound membrane using an integrated analysis of seawater quality and membrane autopsy

Abstract

To understand the cause of the scale, an integrated analysis of the saline water quality and discarded reverse osmosis membranes was developed. Damaged areas on the membrane were excised and characterized by the Fujiwara test, infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. A spatula and sonication were used to remove scale. Thermodynamic modeling (PHREEQC) was used to predict scale formation at 75 bar, resulting in saturation index values for both mixed and pure compounds. Fujiwara's test revealed damage to the polyamide and organic fouling by polysaccharides, silica, and aromatics. Thermo-oxidative decomposition and residual masses of metal oxides and salts were observed. The microscopy detected incrustations in the membrane by analyzing compounds with silicon, oxygen, calcium, magnesium, aluminum, etc. The modeling indicated the low-solubility compounds of scale are aluminum silicates, clays, quartz, etc., identified experimentally. PHREEQC can model desalination to predict scale problems, allowing for early decision-making.