A Study On Fouling Resistant Swro Membranes

The Membrane fouling is a well-known problem to cause flux decline and deterioration of membrane performance.

This study deals with an fouling resistant SWRO membrane in seawater desalination processes. The membrane performance was achieved by controlling interfacial polymerization via using additive. And the fouling resistant property of the membrane was improved by modifying the surface of the membrane with a hydrophobic fluoro compound.

The modified membrane was tested for permeability (flux) and salt rejection, before and after fouling by organic foulants within seawater (flux decline). And this membrane was analyzed the surface features.

As a consequence, the treated membrane by two types of fouling resistant coating with different numbers of fluorine groups, the fouling resistant characteristics against the two foulants (humic acid and sodium alginate) were enhanced compared to the untreated membrane.