ClO2 for biofouling control in Seawater Reverse Osmosis
Project Details
Program
Environmental Science and Engineering
Field of Study
Environmental science and engineering
Division
Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering
Faculty Lab Link
Center Affiliation
Water Desalination and Reuse Center
Project Description
It is desirable to apply a disinfectant for biofouling control in the membrane elements as well as in the intake system of seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) plants. Chlorine dioxide (ClO2) would be an ideal candidate, since it is a highly effective disinfectant, does not produce chlorinated disinfection by-products, and as a dissolved gas it easily passes the membrane, allowing disinfection of the permeate side. Compared to chlorine and chloramine, ClO2 is a less aggressive oxidant, however, it has a higher oxidizing capacity. Polyamide membranes are known to be easily damaged by oxidants, and the potential for membrane damage is hampering the application of ClO2 in reverse osmosis. The presence of bromine, relatively high pH and high temperature, suggests that in Middle East, it is a serious possibility that membrane damage occurs in SWRO. Conversely, it is highly likely that ClO2 dosing is effective against biofouling, since it is an effective disinfectant and it can easily be transported into the biofilm and through the membrane.
About the Researcher
Johannes Vrouwenvelder
Professor, Environmental Science and Engineering
Affiliations
Education Profile
- Ph.D., Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands, 2009
Research Interests
a€‹Professor Vrouwenvelder studies microbiological and process technological aspects of water treatment and transport. This includes fouling control of membrane systems and cooling towers, and sensors and tools for biofouling/biofilm monitoring and rapid sensitive microbial water quality monitoring. Additionally, Professor Vrouwenvelder performs numerical modelling of fouling and water treatment system performance, and studies the dynamics of the microbial ecology of water distribution systems.Selected Publications
- Early non-destructive biofouling detection and spatial distribution: application of oxygen sensing optodes | N.M. Farhat, M. Staal, A. Siddiqui, S.M. Borisov, S.S. Bucs, J.S. Vrouwenvelder Water Research, Volume 83, p. 10-20, (2015)
- Dynamics of bacterial communities before and after distribution in a full-scale drinking water network | J. El-Chakhtoura, E. Prest, P. Saikaly, M.C.M. van Loosdrecht, F. Hammes, J.S. Vrouwenvelder Water Research, Volume 74, p. 180-190. (2015)
- Experimental and numerical characterization of the water flow in spacer-filled channels of spiral-wound membranes | S.S. Bucs, R. Valladares Linares, J.O. Marston, A.I. Radu, J.S. Vrouwenvelder, C. Picioreanu, Water Research, Volume 87, p. 299-310, (2015)
- Biological stability of drinking water: Controlling factors, methods, and challenges | E.I. Prest, F. Hammes, M.C.M. van Loosdrecht, J.S. VrouwenvelderFrontiers in Microbiology, Volume 7, Issue FEB, Article number 45 (2016)
- Development and characterization of 3D-printed feed spacers for spiral wound membrane systems | A. Siddiqui, N.M. Farhat, S.S. Bucs, R. Valladares Linares, C. Picioreanu, J.C. Kruithof, M.C.M. van Loosdrecht, J. Kidwell, J.S. Vrouwenvelder, Water Research, Volume 91, p. 55-67, (2016)
Desired Project Deliverables
The main objective is to evaluate the potential membrane damage due to ClO2, and the second objective is to evaluate the effect of ClO2 on fouling.