Dynamic feed spacer for fouling minimization in forward osmosis process

Ali, SM; Kim, Y; Qamar, A; Naidu, G; Phuntsho, S; Ghaffour, N; Vrouwenvelder, JS; Shon, HK

Dynamic feed spacer for fouling minimization in forward osmosis process

Ali, SM Kim, Y Qamar, A Naidu, G Phuntsho, S

Ghaffour, N Vrouwenvelder, JS Shon, HK

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Publisher:: Elsevier
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Desalination, 2021, 515, pp. 1-9
Issue Date:: 2021-11-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Ali, SM
dc.contributor.author	Kim, Y
dc.contributor.author	Qamar, A
dc.contributor.author	Naidu, G
dc.contributor.author	Phuntsho, S https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3917-3916
dc.contributor.author	Ghaffour, N
dc.contributor.author	Vrouwenvelder, JS
dc.contributor.author	Shon, HK
dc.date.accessioned	2022-03-02T03:53:55Z
dc.date.available	2022-03-02T03:53:55Z
dc.date.issued	2021-11-01
dc.identifier.citation	Desalination, 2021, 515, pp. 1-9
dc.identifier.issn	0011-9164
dc.identifier.issn	1873-4464
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/154959
dc.description.abstract	In this study, a dynamic feed spacer is used to minimize the fouling problem of forward osmosis (FO) membrane process. The conceptual design of the spacer consists of a series of microturbines assembled in ladder type filament cells and termed as turbospacer. It exploits the kinetic energy of the flowing feed solution to rotate the turbines and creates high flow turbulence in the feed channel to prevent the accumulation of foulants and related performance decline. This proof of concept study employed a 3D printed prototype of the proposed spacer in a lab-scale FO experimental setup to compare their performances with a symmetric non-woven spacer of the same thickness under the same operating condition as a reference. Primary effluent from municipal wastewater treatment plant was used as feed solution for a short term (6 days) fouling experiment in this study. Outcomes of the FO fouling experiment revealed that the turbospacer resulted in (i) a factor 2 lower spacer channel pressure drop built-up, and (ii) a 15% reduction in flux decline compared to the reference symmetric spacer. Almost 2.5 times lower foulant resistance was obtained by using the turbospacer at the end of the fouling experiment. In addition, the analysis of the foulant layer growth over a particular position of the membrane surface captured by an optical coherence tomography (OCT) device at different stages of the experiment exhibited that the turbospacer produced a thinner foulant layer. In summary, the turbospacer demonstrated better fouling prevention and control in the FO process.
dc.language	en
dc.publisher	Elsevier
dc.relation	Qatar National Research FundNPRP12S-0227-190166
dc.relation.ispartof	Desalination
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.desal.2021.115198
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
dc.subject	03 Chemical Sciences, 09 Engineering
dc.subject.classification	Chemical Engineering
dc.title	Dynamic feed spacer for fouling minimization in forward osmosis process
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	515
utslib.for	03 Chemical Sciences
utslib.for	09 Engineering
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology/School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CTWW - Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater Treatment
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access	*
pubs.consider-herdc	false
dc.date.updated	2022-03-02T03:53:54Z
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	515

Abstract:

In this study, a dynamic feed spacer is used to minimize the fouling problem of forward osmosis (FO) membrane process. The conceptual design of the spacer consists of a series of microturbines assembled in ladder type filament cells and termed as turbospacer. It exploits the kinetic energy of the flowing feed solution to rotate the turbines and creates high flow turbulence in the feed channel to prevent the accumulation of foulants and related performance decline. This proof of concept study employed a 3D printed prototype of the proposed spacer in a lab-scale FO experimental setup to compare their performances with a symmetric non-woven spacer of the same thickness under the same operating condition as a reference. Primary effluent from municipal wastewater treatment plant was used as feed solution for a short term (6 days) fouling experiment in this study. Outcomes of the FO fouling experiment revealed that the turbospacer resulted in (i) a factor 2 lower spacer channel pressure drop built-up, and (ii) a 15% reduction in flux decline compared to the reference symmetric spacer. Almost 2.5 times lower foulant resistance was obtained by using the turbospacer at the end of the fouling experiment. In addition, the analysis of the foulant layer growth over a particular position of the membrane surface captured by an optical coherence tomography (OCT) device at different stages of the experiment exhibited that the turbospacer produced a thinner foulant layer. In summary, the turbospacer demonstrated better fouling prevention and control in the FO process.

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/154959