1. Title, Journal and Authors

 

Title: A fouling model for simulating long-term performance of SWRO desalination process

Journal: Journal of membrane science

Authors: Young Geun Lee, Yun Seok Lee, Do Yeon Kim, Minkyu Park, Dae Ryook Yang, Joon Ha Kim

 

 

2. Summary

 

In this study, a fouling simulation model that considered the concentration polarization and the membrane resistance was developed for effective operation and maintenance(O&M) in the SWRO desalination process. A customized management strategy can be used to reduce O&M costs during the SWRO desalination process through partial replacement or cleaning of membranes over time. In addition, the strategy showed a redemption of recovery rate.

 

The modified fouling model in this study was developed with consideration for the concentration polarization and the membrane resistance. 730 days of data from the Fujairah desalination plant used to measure the confidence level of the measurement uncertainty in the modified fouling model, which is 68.3%.

 

The modified fouling model in this study shows higher model accuracy for permeate flow rate (MA: 0.75) and permeate TDS concentration (MA: 0.92), while the literature model shows 0.68 and 0.74, respectively. This improvement is caused by differences between the two models, which are TCF, viscosity term, and the fluctuation of the feed TDS concentration.

 

In the results for the modified fouling model, as the feed temperature increases, the permeate flow rate increases, but the literature model can not reflect the result. Moreover, the modified model using a diffusive flux instead of a convective flux reflects normal phenomena in the simulations.

 

In this study, membrane rearrangement (RA), membrane replacement (RP), and membrane cleaning (CL) are considered possible approaches for saving O&M cost during the SWRO desalination process. Using RA as only method is inefficacious. RP and CL cause significant restoration in the recovery rate. If the cost of replacing the membranes is higher than the cost of the membrane cleaning, cleaning 50% of the membranes can be a cost-effective way.

 

Consequentially, the literature model is complemented in model accuracy and reflection of normal phenomena. In this respect, the membrane resistance is suitable for the membrane fouling estimation. Furthermore, the consideration for the concentration polarization and the membrane resistance can improve the simulation model.

 

 

3. Originality and Creativity

 

 

4. Application to research

 

 

5. Contact

Suki Park / Intern student

 

Environmental Systems Engineering Lab.

School of Earth Sciences and Environmental EngineeringGwangju Institute of Science and Technology

 

1 Oryong-dong Buk-gu Gwangju, 500-712, Korea

Phone : +82-10-9082-5579

 

E-mail : flskdpffps@naver.com