Membrane Fouling – The Enemy of Forward Osmosis

Authors

  • Z. H. Chang ᵃDepartment of Petroleum and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Technology and Built Environment, UCSI University, 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia ᵇDepartment of Chemical and Process Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
  • Y. H. Teow ᵇDepartment of Chemical and Process Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia ᶜResearch Centre for Sustainable Process Technology (CESPRO), Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
  • S. P. Yeap Department of Petroleum and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Technology and Built Environment, UCSI University, 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • J. Y. Sum Department of Petroleum and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Technology and Built Environment, UCSI University, 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11113/amst.v25n2.220

Keywords:

Fouling, forward osmosis, fouling mechanism, fouling mitigation, membrane cleaning

Abstract

Forward osmosis (FO) is an osmotically driven membrane separation process. It is potentially applied in various industries for nutrient recovery and water reclamation. Although FO showed a lesser fouling tendency than other pressure-driven membrane processes, the solutes in the feed solution would still deposit on the membrane surface, forming a fouling layer that resists water permeation. For that reason, fouling mitigation is a trending issue in the FO process. A better understanding of the fouling mechanism is required before opting for the appropriate strategy to mitigate it. This article describes the fouling mechanism based on different foulant presented in the feed, followed by a method in relieving fouling in the FO process.

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Published

2021-07-07

How to Cite

Chang, Z. H., Teow, Y. H., Yeap, S. P., & Sum , J. Y. (2021). Membrane Fouling – The Enemy of Forward Osmosis. Journal of Applied Membrane Science & Technology, 25(2), 73–88. https://doi.org/10.11113/amst.v25n2.220

Issue

Vol. 25 No. 2: August 2021

Section

Articles

License

Copyright of articles that appear in Journal of Applied Membrane Science & Technology belongs exclusively to Penerbit Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (Penerbit UTM Press). This copyright covers the rights to reproduce the article, including reprints, electronic reproductions, or any other reproductions of similar nature.