Biofouling in spiral wound membrane systems: Three-dimensional CFD model based evaluation of experimental data |
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Authors: | J.S. Vrouwenvelder C. Picioreanu J.C. Kruithof M.C.M. van Loosdrecht |
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Affiliation: | aWetsus, Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Agora 1, P.O. Box 1113, 8900 CC Leeuwarden, The Netherlands;bDepartment of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 67, 2628 BC Delft, The Netherlands |
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Abstract: | A three-dimensional (3D) computational model describing fluid dynamics and biofouling of feed channels of spiral wound reverse osmosis and nanofiltration membrane systems was developed based on results from practice and experimental studies. In the model simulations the same feed spacer geometry as applied in practice and the experimental studies was used. The 3D mathematical model showed the same trends for (i) feed channel pressure drop, (ii) biomass accumulation, (iii) velocity distribution profile, resulting in regions of low and high liquid flow velocity also named channeling. The numerical model predicted a dominant biomass growth on the feed spacer, consistent with direct in situ observations on biofouling of spiral wound membrane modules and monitors using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). The model confirms experimental results that feed spacer fouling is more important than membrane fouling. The paper shows that mathematical modeling techniques have evolved to a stage that they can be used hand-in-hand with experiments to understand the processes involved in membrane fouling. |
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Keywords: | Biofouling 3D CFD model Feed spacer channel pressure drop Flux Membrane Nanofiltration Reverse osmosis NMR MRI NF RO Concentration polarization Biofilm |
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