Suitability of cationic flocculants for RO membranes performance improvement

As it has already been published and demonstrated, one of the main causes of membranes failures is related to a poor plant pretreatment. Data from more than 600 autopsies demonstrated that both biofilm and colloidal matter are the most common components on reverse osmosis (RO) membrane fouling; ther...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Desalination and water treatment 2015-09, Vol.55 (11), p.2973-2987
Main Authors: Peña, N., del Vigo, F., Salmerón, O., Rodríguez, J., Borrell, A., Chesters, S.P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Autopsies
Biocides
Biofilms
Case studies
Cationic
Cationic flocculants
Compatibility
Failure
Formulations
Laboratories
Laboratory tests
Membrane processes
Membranes
Pretreatment
Reluctance
Reverse osmosis
RO membranes
Water treatment
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Summary:As it has already been published and demonstrated, one of the main causes of membranes failures is related to a poor plant pretreatment. Data from more than 600 autopsies demonstrated that both biofilm and colloidal matter are the most common components on reverse osmosis (RO) membrane fouling; therefore, main lack on membrane pretreatment is related to disinfection and small size of the particles. The main deficiency in membrane pretreatment is related to the dosing of chemicals such as biocides, and flocculants, which are the only tool for membrane pretreatment improvement. Although on previous papers, cationic flocculants effectiveness was already proved, there is still a reluctance to use these kinds of products on RO pretreatments. Genesys Membrane Products laboratories has broad experience on the optimization of cationic flocculants use which proves the effectiveness of these products for RO pretreatment with no risk for the membranes. This paper will demonstrate the compatibility of some cationic flocculant with membranes, as well as the compatibility of novel formulations including biocides in the flocculant formulation. On this paper, the authors will review data from laboratory tests, case studies, and compatibility tests carried out through different analytical techniques (SEM-EDX, ATR/FTIR, etc.) for the different flocculants developed by Genesys International Limited and will try to demonstrate the safe use of these products for the best performance of RO systems.
ISSN:1944-3986
1944-3994
1944-3986
DOI:10.1080/19443994.2014.957950