Reverse Osmosis Fouling Removal Cleaning Protocols
2 patents in this list
Updated:
Membrane fouling in reverse osmosis systems occurs through multiple mechanisms, with scaling and colloidal deposits significantly impacting performance. When metal ion concentrations—particularly aluminum and iron—exceed critical thresholds (0.4 mg/L and 0.8 mg/L respectively), mineral scale formation accelerates, reducing permeate flux and increasing operating pressures.
The challenge lies in maintaining membrane performance while minimizing the use of chemical cleaning agents that can degrade membrane materials over time.
This page brings together solutions from recent research—including real-time ion concentration monitoring, parameter optimization without pH adjustment, preventive cleaning protocols, and chemical-free scale control methods. These and other approaches focus on extending membrane life while maintaining stable system performance.
1. Reverse Osmosis Membrane System Control via Ion Concentration Measurements to Prevent Silica Scaling
KURITA WATER INDUSTRIES LTD., 2019
A method for controlling reverse osmosis (RO) membrane systems to prevent silica scaling at low temperatures without chemicals. The method involves measuring aluminum and iron ions in the feed and concentrate and adjusting system parameters based on those levels. By maintaining the aluminum and iron concentrations below certain thresholds (e.g., 0.4 mg/L and 0.8 mg/L, respectively), scaling can be prevented without pH adjustment or scale inhibitors. This allows continuous, long-term RO operation without reverse osmosis fouling at low temperatures.
2. Reverse Osmosis System with Membrane Bank Bypass and Chemical Cleaning Integration
HITACHI, LTD., 2018
A reverse osmosis system with multiple membrane banks that allows continuous operation while cleaning membranes. The system has a bypass line to divert water around a bank being cleaned and a chemical cleaning line to provide a cleaning solution to a bank being bypassed. This lets the system isolate, clean, and restart one bank at a time while the others produce water.
Without the proper procedures in place, cleaning a reverse osmosis system to get rid of reverse osmosis fouling might harm the system. Protocols such as making sure cleaning solutions are compatible with system materials to choosing the appropriate cleaning frequency, and performance monitoring are necessary for efficient operation and filtration.
