Monitoring fouling behavior of reverse osmosis membranes using electrical impedance spectroscopy: A field trial study

Jia Shin Ho; Lee Nuang Sim; Richard D. Webster; Balakrishnan Viswanath; Hans G.L. Coster; Anthony G. Fane

doi:10.1016/j.desal.2016.12.012

Monitoring fouling behavior of reverse osmosis membranes using electrical impedance spectroscopy: A field trial study

Jia Shin Ho, Lee Nuang Sim^*, Richard D. Webster, Balakrishnan Viswanath, Hans G.L. Coster, Anthony G. Fane

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

47 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

An electrical impedance spectroscopy fouling monitor (EISFM) was used to monitor the performance of a reverse osmosis (RO) treatment train in a NEWater plant in Singapore. A ‘canary cell’ equipped with an EIS measurement system was installed in a side stream of the train. It was operated at the same hydrodynamics as the train to simulate the fouling conditions in the spiral wound modules. The correlation between the EISFM response and plant performance was investigated. When trending the real part of the impedance of the low frequency signal element (Z_real-DP) over time, there was a maximum in the normalised Z_real-DPobserved well before chemical cleaning which was indicated by the traditional operational criteria. The occurrence of Z_real-DPpeaks can be used as an indicator to initiate mitigation measures, such as adjustment of flux or crossflow velocity. As such, the frequency of chemical CIPs could be reduced. Furthermore, by observing the trend of Z_real-DPover time, it was possible to identify the nature of the fouling such as the build-up of a layer of inorganic colloids. This was validated by membrane autopsy studies. This study confirms that the EISFM is suitable for monitoring the performance of RO in a real plant.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	75-84
Number of pages	10
Journal	Desalination
Volume	407
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2016.12.012
Publication status	Published - 2017
Externally published	Yes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 Elsevier B.V.

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

General Chemistry
General Chemical Engineering
General Materials Science
Water Science and Technology
Mechanical Engineering

Keywords

Canary cell
Electrical impedance spectroscopy fouling monitor
Field trial
Fouling
Real time monitoring
Reverse osmosis

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10.1016/j.desal.2016.12.012

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title = "Monitoring fouling behavior of reverse osmosis membranes using electrical impedance spectroscopy: A field trial study",

abstract = "An electrical impedance spectroscopy fouling monitor (EISFM) was used to monitor the performance of a reverse osmosis (RO) treatment train in a NEWater plant in Singapore. A {\textquoteleft}canary cell{\textquoteright} equipped with an EIS measurement system was installed in a side stream of the train. It was operated at the same hydrodynamics as the train to simulate the fouling conditions in the spiral wound modules. The correlation between the EISFM response and plant performance was investigated. When trending the real part of the impedance of the low frequency signal element (Zreal-DP) over time, there was a maximum in the normalised Zreal-DPobserved well before chemical cleaning which was indicated by the traditional operational criteria. The occurrence of Zreal-DPpeaks can be used as an indicator to initiate mitigation measures, such as adjustment of flux or crossflow velocity. As such, the frequency of chemical CIPs could be reduced. Furthermore, by observing the trend of Zreal-DPover time, it was possible to identify the nature of the fouling such as the build-up of a layer of inorganic colloids. This was validated by membrane autopsy studies. This study confirms that the EISFM is suitable for monitoring the performance of RO in a real plant.",

keywords = "Canary cell, Electrical impedance spectroscopy fouling monitor, Field trial, Fouling, Real time monitoring, Reverse osmosis",

author = "Ho, \{Jia Shin\} and Sim, \{Lee Nuang\} and Webster, \{Richard D.\} and Balakrishnan Viswanath and Coster, \{Hans G.L.\} and Fane, \{Anthony G.\}",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2016 Elsevier B.V.",

year = "2017",

doi = "10.1016/j.desal.2016.12.012",

language = "English",

volume = "407",

pages = "75--84",

journal = "Desalination",

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T1 - Monitoring fouling behavior of reverse osmosis membranes using electrical impedance spectroscopy

T2 - A field trial study

AU - Ho, Jia Shin

AU - Sim, Lee Nuang

AU - Webster, Richard D.

AU - Viswanath, Balakrishnan

AU - Coster, Hans G.L.

AU - Fane, Anthony G.

PY - 2017

Y1 - 2017

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AB - An electrical impedance spectroscopy fouling monitor (EISFM) was used to monitor the performance of a reverse osmosis (RO) treatment train in a NEWater plant in Singapore. A ‘canary cell’ equipped with an EIS measurement system was installed in a side stream of the train. It was operated at the same hydrodynamics as the train to simulate the fouling conditions in the spiral wound modules. The correlation between the EISFM response and plant performance was investigated. When trending the real part of the impedance of the low frequency signal element (Zreal-DP) over time, there was a maximum in the normalised Zreal-DPobserved well before chemical cleaning which was indicated by the traditional operational criteria. The occurrence of Zreal-DPpeaks can be used as an indicator to initiate mitigation measures, such as adjustment of flux or crossflow velocity. As such, the frequency of chemical CIPs could be reduced. Furthermore, by observing the trend of Zreal-DPover time, it was possible to identify the nature of the fouling such as the build-up of a layer of inorganic colloids. This was validated by membrane autopsy studies. This study confirms that the EISFM is suitable for monitoring the performance of RO in a real plant.

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Monitoring fouling behavior of reverse osmosis membranes using electrical impedance spectroscopy: A field trial study

Abstract

Bibliographical note

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

Keywords

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