Review of Reverse Osmosis as Green Technology against Water Supply: Challenges and the way Forward
Keywords:
Water supply, shortage, challenges, reverse osmosisAbstract
Communication in Physical Sciences 2020, 6(1): 726-737
Ahamefula A. Ahuchaogu* and Chukwuemeka T. Adu
Received 19 September 2020/Accepted 02 October 2020
Contaminated water can be treated and be re-used but where portable water supply is not available, implementation of reverse osmosis technology is capable of increasing the volume of water supply. This paper reviewed the technology behind reverse osmosis, their proportional utilization, methods classification, expected technical problems and solutions that are connected with its operation. Desalination is admitted as one of the major application areas of reverse osmosis program. The review acknowledges fouling, scale formation and corrosion as the major challenges that can hinder the operation of reverse osmosis plants and recommended precautional methods during design, testing and implementation of reverse osmosis plants.
Downloads
References
Aende A., Gardy.J & assanpour.A.(2020)Seawater Desalination: A Review of Forward OsmosisTechnique, Its Challenges, and Future Prospects, Processes 8, 901, pp 1-35.
Ahimou, F., Semmens, M. J., Haugstad, G. & Novak, P. J. (2007). Effect of protein, polysaccharide, and oxygen concentration profiles on biofilm cohesiveness, Application of Environmental Microbiology, 73, pp. 2905-2910.
Ahuchaogu, A. A., Chukwu, O. J., Obike, A. I., Igara, C. E., Nnorom, I. C. & Echeme, J. B. O. (2018) Reverse Osmosis Technology, its Applications and Nano-Enabled Membrane. International Journal of Advanced Research in Chemical Science 5, 2, pp. 20-26.
Alonitis, S. A., Kouroumbas, K. & Vlachakis, N. (2003). Energy consumption and membrane replacement cost for seawater RO desalination plants. Desalination, 157, pp. 151–158.
Ang, W.S. & Elimelech, M., (2007). Protein (BSA) fouling of reverse osmosis membranes: implications for wastewater reclamation. Journal of Membrane Science, 296, pp. 83-92.
Armstrong, N. W., Gallego, S. &Chesters, S. P. (2009). Removing biofilm from membranes –
A practical approach, Genesys International Limited, 3A Aston Way, Middlewich, Cheshire, CW10 0HS, UK
Baker, R. W. (2004). Membrane technology and applications, 2nd ed. John Wiley & Sons, removal from natural waters in Tanzania by nanofiltration/reverse osmosis. Science of Research Technology. AQUA 55 3.
Baker, J. S. & Dudley, L. Y. (1998) Biofouling in membrane systems- a review. Desalination,118, pp. 81-90
Bourounia, K., Chaibib, M. T. & Tadrist, L. (2001). Water desalination by humidification and dehumidification of air: state of the art. Desalination 137, pp. 167–176
Busch, M., Chu, R. & Rosenberg, S. (2010) Novel trends in dual membrane systems for seawater desalination: minimum primary pretreatment and low environmental impact treatment schemes. IDA Journal of Desalination and Water Reuse, 2,1, pp. 56-71.
Chen, C. L., Liu, W. T., Chong, M. L.,Wong, M. T. & Ong, S. L. Seah, H. & Ng, W. G. (2004) Community structure of microbial biofilms associated with membrane-based water purification processes as revealed using a polyphasic approach, Application of Microbiological. Biotechnology, 63, 4, pp. 466–473
Cho, J., Amy, G. & Pellegrino, J. (1999). Membrane filtration of natural organic matter: initial comparison of rejection and flux decline characteristics with ultrafiltration and nanofiltration membranes. Water Research, 33, pp. 2517–2526.
Cohen, Y., Semiat, R. & Rahardianto, A (2017). A perspective on reverse osmosis water desalination: Quest for sustainability. AIChE Journal, 63, 6, pp. 1771-1784.
Comstock, S. E. H., Boyer, T. H. & Graf, K. C. (2011). Treatment of nanofiltration and reverse osmosis concentrates: comparison of precipitative softening, coagulation, and anion exchange. Water Research, 45, 16, pp. 4855–65.
Ding, S., Yang, Y., Li, C., Huang, H. & Hou, L. A. (2016). The effects of organic fouling on the removal of radionuclides by reverse osmosis membranes. Water Research, 95, pp. 174-184.
Eddy, N. O., Ekwumengbo, P. A. & Mamza, P. A. P. (2009). Ethanol extract of Terminalia catappa as a green inhibitor for the corrosion of mild steel in H2SO4. Green Chemistry Letters and Review ,2, 4, pp. 223-231.
Eddy, N. O., Ameh, P., Gimba, C. E. & Ebenso, E. E. (2011). GCMS studies on Anogessus leocarpus (AL) gum and their corrosion inhibition potentials for mild steel in 0.1 M HCl. International Journal of Electrochemical Sciences, 6, pp. 5815-5829.
Elimelech, M. (2006) The global challenge for adequate and safe water, Journal of Water Supply Research. Technology. AQUA 55 3
Elimelech, M. & Phillip, W. A. (2011). The Future of Seawater Desalination: Energy, Technology, and the Environment Science ,333, I6043, pp. 712-717.
Fabris, R.., Chow, C. W. K., Drikas, M. & Eikebrokk, B. (2008). Comparison of NOM character in for seawater desalination. Journal of American Water Works Association, 99, pp. 95-106.
Fritzmann, ., Löwenberg, J., Wintgens, T. & Melin, T. (2007). State-of-the-art of reverse
osmosis desalination, Desalination 216, pp. 1-76.
GWI, Desalination Markets (2007). A Global Industry Forecast (CD ROM), Global Water Intelligence, Media Analytics Ltd, Oxford, UK, 2007. Available from Global Publications, Anaheim, California.
Goh, P. S., Lau, W. J., Othman, M. H. & D. Ismail, A. F. (2018) Membrane fouling in desalination and its mitigation strategies. Desalination, 425, pp. 130-155
Hameeteman, E. (2013). Future water. In Security: Facts, Figures and Predictions; GlobalWater Institute: Columbus, OH, USA,
Herzberg, M. & Elimelech, M. (2007). Biofouling of reverse osmosis membranes: role of biofilm-enhanced osmotic pressure, Journal of Membrane Science. 295, pp. 11-20.
Jawor, A. & Hoek, E. M. (2009). Effects of feed water temperature on inorganic fouling of brackish water RO membranes. Desalination, 235, 1-3, pp. 44–57.
Jeong, S., Naidu, G., Vollprecht, R., Leiknes, T.O. & Vigneswaran, S., (2016). In-depth analyses of organic matters in a full-scale seawater desalination plant and an autopsy of reverse osmosis membrane. Separation Purification. Technology, 162, pp. 171-179. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2016.02.029
Jiang, S., Li, Y. & Ladewig, B. P. (2017). A review of reverse osmosis membrane fouling and control strategies. Science of the Total Environment, 595, 1, pp. 567-583.
Ju, Y.& Hong, S., (2014). Nano-colloidal fouling mechanisms in seawater reverse osmosis process evaluated by cake resistance simulator-modified fouling index nanofiltration. Desalination 343, pp. 88–96.
Kim, H. C. & Dempsey, B. A., (2013). Membrane fouling due to alginate, SMP, EfOM, humic acid, and NOM. Journal of Membrane Science, 428, pp. 190-197.
Kim, Y., Elimelech, M., Shon, H. K.& Hong, S.,( 2014). Combined organic and colloidal fouling in forward osmosis: fouling reversibility and the role of applied pressure. Journal of Membrane Science, 460, pp. 206-212. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2014.02.038.
Knoell,T., J. Safarik., T.Cormack., R.Riley., S.W. Lin., &H.F. Ridgway, (1999) Biofouling potentials of microporous polysulfone membranes containing a sulfonated polyether hersulfone.polyethersulfone block copolymer: correlation of membrane surface properties with bacterial attachment, Journal of Membrane. Science. 157, pp.111-121
Kurihara, M. & Hanakawa, M. (2013). Mega-ton Water System: Japanese national research and development project on seawater desalination and waste Desalination, 308, pp. 131-137.
Lattemann, S., Kennedy, M. D., Schippers, J. C. & Amy, G. (2010). Global desalination situation, in: I.C. Escobar, A.I. Scha¨fer (Eds.), Sustainable Water for the Future: Water Recycling versus Desalination, Sustainability Science and Engineering, 2, pp. 7–39.
Lazaredes, H. & Broom, G. (2011). Review of the pretreatment selection/design for Australia’s big six desalination projects. In Proceedings of IDA World Congress, Perth, Australia
Lee, E. K., Chen, V. & Fane, A.G., (2008). Natural organic matter (NOM) fouling in low pressure membrane filtration - effect of membranes and operation modes. Desalination, 218, pp. 257-270.
Malaeb, L & Ayoub, G. M., (2011). Reverse osmosis technology for water treatment: state of the art review. Desalination, 267, pp.1-8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2010.09.001
Maqbool N., Saleem, Z and Jamal,Y (2019)A Short Review on Reverse Osmosis Membranes: Fouling and Control, Journal of Waste Manage Xenobiotic,2,2 pp 1-10 doi: 10.23880/oajwx-16000122
Matin, A. Khan, Z., Zaidi, S. M. J. & Boyce, M. C. (2011). Biofouling in reverse osmosis membranes for seawater desalination: phenomena and prevention, Desalination, 281, pp. 1–16,
Mekonnen, M. M. & Hoekstra, A. Y. (2016). Four billion people facing severe water scarcity. Science. Advances, 2, 2, pp. 1-6:e1500323. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.1500323
Mi, B. & Elimelech, M. (2013). Silica scaling and scaling reversibility in forward osmosis. Desalination, 312, pp. 75–81.
Mi, B. & Elimelech, M.(2010). Gypsum scaling and cleaning in forward osmosis: Measurements and mechanisms. Environmental. Science. Technology, 44, pp. 2022-2028.
Migliorini, G. & Luzzo, E. (2004). Seawater reverse osmosis plant using the pressure exchanger for energy recovery: a calculation model, Desalination, 165, pp. 289–298.
Motsa, M. M., Mamba, B. B., Thwala, J. M. & Verliefde, A. R., (2017). Osmotic backwash of fouled FO membranes: cleaning mechanisms and membrane surface properties after cleaning. Desalination, 402, pp. 62-71. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2016.09.018.
Murphy, A. P., Moody, C. D., Riley, R. L., Wai, S., Murugaverl, B. & Rusin, P. (2001) Microbiological damage of cellulose acetate RO membranes, Journal of Membrane. Science, 193, pp. 111–121
Naidu, G., Jeong, S., Kim, S.J., Kim, I.S., Vigneswaran, S., (2014). Organic fouling behavior in nanofiltration membranes. Water Research, 33, pp. 2517–2526.
Ning, R.Y., Troyer, T. L. & Tominello, R.S., (2005). Chemical control of colloidal fouling of reverse osmosis systems. Desalination 172, pp. 1–6.
Piyadasa, C., Ridgway, H. F., Yeager, T. R., Stewart, M. B., Pelekani, C., Gray, S. R. & Orbella, J. D. (2017) The application of electromagnetic fields to the control of the scaling and biofouling of reverse osmosis membranes - a review, Desalination, 418, pp. 19–34.
Rao, A. P., Desai, N. V. & Rangarajan, R. (1997). Interfacially synthesized thin film composite RO membrane for seawater desalination, Journal of Membrane. Sciencce. 124, pp. 263-272
Rezaei, M., Warsinger, D. M., Lienhard, J. H. & Samhaber, W. M. (2017). Wetting prevention in membrane distillation through super hydrophobicity and recharging an air layer on the membrane surface. Journal of Membrane Science, 530, pp. 42-52.
Ridgway, H. F. (1998). Microbial adhesion and biofouling of reverse osmosis membranes, in: B.S. Parekh (Ed.), Reverse Osmosis Technology, Marcel Dekker, New York, pp. 429-481.
Romeo .T, (2006) When the party is over: a signal for dispersal of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa biofilms, Journal of Bacteriology. 188, pp. 7325–7327
Sadr-Ghayeni, S. B., Beatson, P. J., Schneider, R. P. & Fane, A. G. (1998) Water reclamation from municipal wastewater using combined microfiltration-reverse osmosis (MFRO):preliminary performance data and microbiological aspects of system operation, Desalination 116, pp. 65-80..
Seacord, T. F., Coker, S. D. & MacHarg, J. (2006). Affordable desalination collaboration 2005 results. In International Desalination and Water Reuse Quarterly (Green Global Publications, Anaheim, California
Shannon, M. A., Bohn, P. W., Elimelech, M., Georgiadis, J. G. Marinas, B. J. & Mayes, A. M. (2008). Science and technology for water purification in the coming decades. Nature, 452, pp. 301-310. oi:10.1038/nature06599
Shen, J. & Schafer, A. I. (2015). Factors affecting fluoride and natural organic matter (NOM)removal from natural waters in Tanzania by nanofiltration/reverse osmosis. Science of Total Environment. 527,528, pp. 520–529.
Shenvi S. S, Isloor A. M . & Ismail, A. (2015) A review on RO membrane technology: Developments and challenges. Desalination 368: pp. 10-26.
Sim, L. N., Chong, T. H., Taheri, A. H., Sim, S. T. V., Lai, L., Krantz, W. B. & Fane, A. G. (2017). A review of fouling indices and monitoring techniques for reverse osmosis. Desalination, 434, pp. 169-188.
Swaminathan., J. H. & Lienhard V, (2018) Inorganic fouling mitigation by salinity cycling in batch reverse osmosis. Water Research 137, pp. 384-394
Teixeira, M. R. & Sousa, V.S., (2013). Fouling of nanofiltration membrane: effects of NOM molecular weight and microcystins. Desalination 315, pp. 149–155
Veerapaneni, S., Long, B., Freeman, S. & Bond, R. (2007) Reducing energy consumption for seawater desalination. Journal of American. Water Works Association, 99, pp. 95–106
Vial, D. & Doussau, G. (2002). The use of microfiltration membranes for seawater pre-treatment prior to reverse osmosis membranes, Desalination, 153, pp. 141-147
Vrouwenvelder, J. S., Picioreanu, C., Kruithof, J. C. & Van Loosdrecht, M. C. M. (2010). Biofouling in spiral wound membrane systems: three-dimensional CFD model-based evaluation of experimental data, Journal of Membrane. Science, 346, pp. 71-85.
Wang, J., Mo, Y., Mahendra, S. & Hoek, E.M.V., (2014). Effects of water chemistry on structure and performance of polyamide composite membranes. Journal of Membrane Science, 452, pp. 415-425
Warsinger, D. M., Tow, E. W., Maswadeh, L. A., Connors, G., Swaminathan, J. & Lienhard, J. H. (2018). Inorganic fouling mitigation by salinity cycling in batch reverse osmosis. Water Research, 137, pp. 384-394
Wilf, M & Schierach, (2001). Improved performance and cost reduction of RO seawa.ter systems using UF pretreatment. Desalination, 135, pp. 61-68.
Wolf, P. H. & Siverns, S. (2004). The new generation for reliable RO pre-treatment, International Conference on Desalination Costing, Limassol.
Yang, N. (2005). Physical conditioning for scale prevention during desalination by reverse osmosis. Master Degree Thesis: Chalmers Institute of Technology, Goteborg, Sweden
Zhao, Y. J., Wu, K. F., Wang, Z. J., Zhao, L. & Li, S. S. (2000) Fouling and cleaning of membrane—A literature review. Journal of Water Process Engineering,12, pp. 241–251.
Zhou, Y., & R. S. J. Tol (2005), Evaluating the costs of desalination and water transport, Water Resource and Research, 41, pp. 1-10.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2010 The Journal and the author
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
