“Fouling Control for RO/NF Systems”

Prem Sagar Mishra

Manager CTS
Keys to Treatment with Membrane Technology
Fouling Control
Colloidal Material
Bio growth
Scaling
Organic Adsorption
Coagulant post-precipitation

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Membrane Fouling

New
Silica Scaled

Coating of Membrane Surface

Flux Reduction / High Operating Press
Frequent Chemical Cleaning
Shorter Membrane Life

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© IEI Ltd.
 Types of Fouling

6 RO Elements/Vessel Concentrate

Feed

RO Feed Pump

Product

Lead Element Fouling Tail Element Fouling

•Colloidal • Scaling by Silica,
•Biological Sulfates, and Carbonates
•Dissolved Organics • Dissolved Organics
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Chemical Composition of Typical
RO Membrane

Neg Charge O
O -C-N- O
-HO - C - - N -C - O
- C -R -C -N-
POLYAMIDE O -HO-C - -N-R
0.15 micron thick O

C O C O
-C- -S - -C- -S -
POLYSULFONE O O
C C
50 microns thick

POLYESTER Fabric
150 microns thick © IEI Ltd.
Composite PA Membrane Cross-Section

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Keeping RO Membranes Clean

Polyamide Surface
Membrane Surface

ESPA3 Surface

Colloidal Fouling

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Surface Damage Caused by
Particulate Matter on RO Surface

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Coagulant Formation of Colloidal Foulant

Aluminum Ferric
Sulfate Chloride

At pH 8.0, the solubility of iron is about 1 ug/l as Fe(OH)2+ and is

much lower than for aluminum, which is 0.5 mg/l as Al(OH)4
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Membrane Analysis by SEM and EDAX

Membrane Membrane
From Feed From Brine
End End

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Membrane Analysis by
SEM and EDAX

Membrane
From Brine
End

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Particulate on Spiral Wound Element

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 Scaling – Precipitation of Sparingly
Soluble Salts
Calcium Phosphate

Calcium Sulfate

Calcium Carbonate

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Silica Scale

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Damage of Membrane Surface by
Calcium Phosphate Scale

Calcium
Phosphate

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 Complex Organics: Naturally
Occurring Matter (NOM)

Plant and animal decay products

•Terrestrial- woody and herbaceous plants
•Aquatic- algae and macrophytes

Cellulose O2
NOM
Lignins light
Humic
Proteins bacteria CO2
substances
Cutins H+, OH-
& small
Lipids metals
organics
Tannins fungi
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Naturally Occurring Matter(NOM):
Structure and Composition

45-55 Wt% Carbon

35-45 Wt% Oxygen
3-5 Wt% Hydrogen
1-4 Wt% Nitrogen
Traces P, S
MW 200-20,000
10-35% aromatic C
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Biofouling

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Biofouled Membrane

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Foulant Distribution in SWRO Pressure Vessel
Position Ex-fact Rej, % Ex-fact Retest Rej, % Retest Retest DP, psi
GPD GPD
1 (lead) 99.79 5354 99.78 5227 9.5
2 99.70 5126 99.84 5519 5.0
3 99.74 5729 99.81 6013 4.5
4 99.78 5775 99.81 6074 4.0
5 99.80 5427 99.88 5459 3.8
6 99.74 5511 99.83 6171 3.5
7 99.80 6127 99.84 6097 3.0
8 (tail) 99.80 6127 99.85 6074 3.2

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Prevention of Fouling

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How Can I Prevent Scale Formation

in My RO/NF System?

 Calcium Carbonate
• Lower pH, lower recovery, change AS, soften water
 Calcium Sulfate
• Lower recovery, Optimize Antiscalant, soften water
 Barium Sulfate
• Lower Recovery, change AS, soften water
 Calcium Phosphate
• Lower pH, change AS, lower recovery
 Silica
• Increase pH, optimize AS, lower recovery

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Recovery Limitations: Scaling
Hydranautics (warnings in program)
Saturation Limits:
CaSo4 230 % SrSO4 800 %
BaSO4 6000 %
SiO2 100 %
LSI <1.8 (Brackish Feed w. Scale Inhibitor)

Proprietary Chemicals (software provided by vendors)

Product A Product B
CaSO4 350% 250%
Sr2SO4 3500% 3000%
Ba2SO4 10500% 6500%
SiO2 240 mg/L
CaCO3 L.S.I. 3.0 L.S.I. 2.5
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Example of Normalized Data

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Example of Normalized Data

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Example of Normalized Data

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Third Stage Element Showing
Scale Formation

Barite

Calcite
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How Can I Reduce Colloidal Fouling in My RO/NF System?
Measurement
 SDI (< 3 preferred)
 Turbidity (< 0.1 preferred)
 Particle Counts (<100 of 2 µm
particles/ml)
Optimize Your Media Filtration
 Media Selection
 Coagulant Optimization
 Proper Filtration Velocities
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 SDI - Silt Density Index

•Test is used to indicate the quantity of particulate matter in water

•SDI is used to determinate effectiveness of pre-treatment
•SDI has been empirically correlated with the fouling tendency of membranes
•SDI will vary with filter paper manufacturer
•SDI may vary with water temperature

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 SDI formula

SDIT = (1 - T0/TT)/T * 100

T = Total elapsed flow time (usually 15 min.)

T = Initial time required to collect 500 ml of sample
T = Time required to collect 500 ml of sample after test
time T (usually 15 min.)
Test should be done at 207 kPa ± 7 kPa

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 How Can I Reduce Colloidal Fouling
in My RO/NF System?
SDI vs Foulant Mass

300
Foulant Mass

200

100

0
0 2 4 6 8
SDI

“Silt Density Indices (SDI), percent plugging factor (%PF); their relation to actual foulant deposition”, Seymour
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S.Kremen, Matt Tanner, Desalination 119 (1998) 259-262
 Optimized Media Filtration for
Improving Colloidal Foulant Removal

150 mm Tube

Media Layer
135 cm
Pressure Taps

Pilot Trials
at the Plant

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Example SWRO Pilot Plant Trials in Mediterranean Region
3 x 150mm columns @ 11 m/hr filtration velocity
Col #1: New Media, same coagulant as plant
Col #2: Existing Media, new coagulant
Col #3: New Media, new coagulant Media

Existing Media: 300 mm depth of 2.1 mm grain sand + 1000

mm depth of 0.94 mm grain sand

New Media: 500 mm depth 0.4-0.8mm fine sand +

700 mm porous volcanic pumice Coagulant
Existing Coagulant: Ferric Chloride
New Coagulant: Avista ROQuest Commercial
Coagulant/Flocculant (FS, 4000, 6000)
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© IEI Ltd.
How Can I Reduce Colloidal Fouling in My RO/NF
System?
 Measurement
 SDI (< 3 preferred)
 Turbidity (< 0.1 preferred)
 Particle Counts (<100 of 2 µm particles/ml)
 Optimize Your Media Filtration
 Media Selection
 Coagulant Optimization
 Proper Filtration Velocities
 Membrane Pretreatment
 MF is generally 0.2 micron
 UF is generally 0.02 micron
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Role of UF Pretreatment: Example
Hydracap Capillary UF Membrane
UF Membrane Particles MINIMIZE!
Sand
Silt
UF FILTRATE Bacteria/Algae
99.999% Rej
Potential of
Colloidal
Bacterial Regrowth Silica
Turbidity<0.05 Silicates
Organic
99.9+% Rej
RO
NOM
Food Humic Acid
For Fulvic Acid
Acetic Acid
Bacteria? 10-20% Rej

Bacterial Salts
Scale Forming
Contamination? Soluble Salts © IEI Ltd.
 How Can I Reduce Colloidal and Particulate Fouling in My RO/NF
System?
Measurement
SDI (< 3 preferred)
Turbidity (< 0.1 preferred)
Particle Counts (<100 of 2 µm particles/ml)
Optimize Your Media Filtration
Media Selection
Coagulant Optimization
Filtration Velocities
Membrane Pretreatment
MF is generally 0.2 micron
UF is generally 0.02 micron
Maintain Fiber Integrity
Feed/Brine Spacer in the Element
Increased thickness minimizes dP Increase
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Effect of Feed/Brine Spacer
Thinkness on Fouling Rates:

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Automated Glue Line Control Allows Thicker
Spacers without Membrane Area Loss

A
A
Filament Particle

Flow

28mil
34mil
Clearance A of 34mil is 20% wider than 28mil’s

L W

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How Can I Reduce Biofouling in My RO/NF
System?
Measurement
 Bacteria Counts
 Slime Formation
 Weigh Elements
Prevent Formation of Assimible Organic Carbon (AOC)
 Avoid Continuous Chlorination/Dechlorination
 Use Shock Dosing as Needed
 Disinfect Lines
 UV Prior to High Pressure pump
Chemical Prevention of Biofouling
 DBNPA Non Oxidizing chemical
 Isothiazolin
 Chloramines (with caution)
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Heavy Biofouling

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Biofouling - pipework cleaning

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BWRO Train A Performance-Biofouling

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 DBNPA Non Oxidizing Biostatic
Agent

Slug dosing, 10 – 100 ppm of active ingredient for 30 minutes to 3 hours every 5 days

During slug dosing, the permeate should be dumped if it is for a potable water system.

For continuous dosing, between 0.5 to 1 ppm of active ingredient is recommended.

Although DBNPA is non-oxidizing, it will give an ORP reading of about 400 mv when in
the range of 0.5 – 3 ppm ( for comparison, 1 ppm chlorine typically gives an ORP
reading of about 700 mv).

For CIP use, 100-200 ppm of active ingredient for 1 hour would be recommended and
keep pH neutral

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 DBNPA
2,2-dibromo-3-nitrilopropionamide

MW = 242
2,2-Dibromo-3-Nitrilopropionamide
Formula: C3H2Br2N2O

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Isothiazolin

•4 Hours of Contact time (or more)

•Broad Spectrum Biostatic Agent
•Target: Aerobic and Anaerobic Bacteria, Fungi, and
Algae
•pH Range: 6 – 9
•Known under trade name - Kathon

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 Isothiazolin

2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one

5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one

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Permeate Flushings

Train Stopped
- Flushed - Started

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 Trouble-Shooting Guidelines
Possible Possible Pressure Feed Salt
Cause Location Drop Pressure Passage
Metal Oxide Fouling 1st stage Rapid Rapid increase Rapid
(e.g. Fe,Mn,Cu,Ni,Zn) lead elements increase increase
Colloidal Fouling 1st stage Gradual Gradual Slight
(organic and/or lead elements increase increase increase inorganic complexes)
Mineral Scaling Last stage Moderate Slight increase Marked
(e.g. Ca, Mg, Ba, Sr) tail elements Increase increase
Polymerized Silica Last stage Normal to Increased Normal to
tail elements increased increased
Biological Fouling Any stage, Marked Marked Normal to
usually lead increase increase increased elements
Organic Fouling All stages Gradual Increased Decreased
(dissolved NOM) increase
Antiscalant Fouling 2nd stage most Normal to Increased Normal to
severe increased increased

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Strategy to Minimize Membrane Fouling

Colloidal Fouling Biofouling

• Effective Fine Filtration (UF, •No Continuous Chlorination
MF preferred) •Minimize Excess SBS
•Optimize Coagulation of Overdosing
colloidal particles •Eliminate •Sanitize System as Needed
Filter Bypass •Remove Bio-food source
with effective
coagulation/filtration
•Eliminate GAC filters
Scaling Organic Adsorption
•Prevent oxidation of Fe2+ •Minimize the destabilization
•Exceeding saturation rarely an of the organics in the water •
issue with 1st pass SWRO Intake protected from free oil,
•Calculate correctly saturation free oil monitors
in BWRO
•Use proper AS

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Cleaning Procedure

System
Planned Regime
Cleaning Sequences

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Cleaning Procedure

Manual procedure with necessary interlocks System consists of:

cleaning tank
•Sizing for retention time ~ 4 minutes
•Take in consideration losses in the system
•Eliminate foaming
•Eliminate suckback
cleaning pump – size with flow 10 – 12 m³/h/PV
ƒcleaning heater – important to keep T as high as possible close to 40ºC
ƒCleaning once every 6 months
Cleaning regime depends on the type of fouling

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 Simplified Flow diagram

VCC-30-005AB
Block A
CONCENTRATE
VBR-30-005A

VIPW-30-002A
Block C
VSW-30-002A VCC-30-004A

Block B
VCC-30-005AA VCC-30-002A

PERMEATE

VIPW-30-001A

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Cleaning System

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 Cleaning Process

Alkaline or acidic cleaning

Steps:
•Seawater flush
•Freshwater flush
•Chemical makeup
•Fluid Displacement
•Low flow / high flow
recirculation
•Soak
•Drain

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Cleaning Process - Important Points

•Compatibility of cleaning chemicals with membranes

•Correct cleaning temperature - 35º - 45 oC
•Correct cleaning flows
•Do not exceed differential pressure
•Soak and recirculate – 30 minutes : 30 minutes
•No water hammer or surges must occur!

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Cleaning Procedure - Influencing Factors

25 25

Temperature
Time
Concentration
25 25 Flow

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Cleaning Procedure -Influencing Factors

15 Temperature
Time
30 Concentration
Flow

30

25

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Solutions – Generic Chemicals
Cleaning Bulk Ingredients Quantity Target pH Target
Solution Adjustment Temp.
1 Citric acid 17.0 Adjust to pH 4.0 with 104 F (40
(as 100% powder) pounds (7.7 ammonium C)
kg) hydroxide.
2 STPP 17.0 Adjust to pH 10.0 104 F (40
(sodium tripolyphosphate) pounds with sulfuric or C)
(as 100% powder) (7.7 kg) hydrochloric acid.
Na-EDTA
(Versene 220 or equal) 7.0 pounds
(as 100% powder) (3.18 kg)
3 STPP 17 pounds Adjust down to pH 104 F (40
(sodium tripolyphosphate) (7.7 kg) 10.0 C)
(as 100% powder) with sulfuric or
Na-DDBS 2.13 hydrochloric acid.
Na-dodecylbenzene pounds
sulfonate (0.97 kg)
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Cleaning Process Conditions
Hydranautics pH and Temperature Limits for Cleaning
(See Table 3 for target pH and temperatures)
Membrane 45 C 35 C 30 C (86 F)
(113 (95
F) F)

CPA 2-10 2-12 2-12

ESPA 2-10 2-12 2-12
LFC 2-10 2-12 2-12
SWC 2-10 2-11 2-12
ESNA 3-10 2-12 2-12
Cleaning and Flushing Flow Rates per RO Pressure Tube
(Pressures are not to exceed 60 psi (4 bar) at inlet to tubes.)
Element Diameter GPM LPM

4-inches 6 to 10 23 to 38

6-inches 12 to 20 46 to 76

8-inches 24 to 40 91 to 151

8.5-inches 27 to 45 102 to 170

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 Conclusions

•Normalize Data at least daily

•Analyze your performance indicators to narrow down
the type of fouling
•Remove elements from the system to analyze the
membrane for exact foulant
•Follow membrane supplier and chemical supplier
guidelines to prevent or alleviate fouling
•Clean membranes when normalized permeate flow
drops 10-15% or if normalized pressure drop
increases by 15-20% or normalized SP increases 10 –
15%
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 Preservation
Preservation should be done if membrane part is
stopped for longer than a week
Typical preservation solution
1% SBS

Proprietary chemicals

Winter preservation solution

1% SBS + 20% glycerine pH of solution must not

drop bellow 3
In case of short time preservation
~1,000 mg/l of SBS is sufficient for 1.5 – 2 months

You must regularly analyze residual SBS – it must

not drop bellow 500 mg/l © IEI Ltd.

Discussion

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