Full Description

Membrane fouling due to scale formation of inorganic salts is a serious problem limiting theapplication of Reverse Osmosis (RO) technology. In this study, a rotating RO system taking advantage ofTaylor-Couette flow instabilities was investigated to control CaSO4 scale formation. Permeate flux andthe particle concentration in bulk phase were measured under various conditions to determine the degreeto which rotation of the RO membrane improves flux. In rotating RO, flux decline due to scale formationis much slower than in non-rotating RO. This is because the precipitate formation in rotating RO ismostly bulk crystallization, rather than surface scale formation. Vortices in rotating RO induce bulkcrystal formation and minimize scale particle deposition on the membrane surface, thereby enhancing thepermeate flux. Vortices also lower the concentration polarization that is related to surface crystalformation. The anti-fouling effect in rotating RO increases with the rotational speed because of increasedshear and vortices. Includes 28 references, figures.

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Edition: Vol. - No. Published: 03/05/2003 Number of Pages: 13File Size: 1 file , 630 KB