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The use of ultrasound to mitigate membrane fouling in desalination and water treatment

M. Qasim, N.N. Darwish, S. Mhiyo, N.A. Darwish, N. Hilal, Nidal Hilal

Desalination, Volume: 443, Pages: 143 - 164

Swansea University Author: Nidal Hilal

Abstract

Fouling is recognized as a serious challenge in reverse osmosis desalination and in different membrane-based separation technologies. Membrane fouling not only reduces the permeate flux and the membrane productivity but also significantly decreases the membrane lifespan, increases the energy and fee...

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Published in: Desalination
ISSN: 0011-9164
Published: Elsevier 2018
Online Access: Check full text

URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa39414
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Abstract: Fouling is recognized as a serious challenge in reverse osmosis desalination and in different membrane-based separation technologies. Membrane fouling not only reduces the permeate flux and the membrane productivity but also significantly decreases the membrane lifespan, increases the energy and feed pressure requirement, and increases membrane maintenance and replacement costs. As a result, the consequences of membrane fouling have always stimulated research investigations into different fouling mitigation strategies. In this context, application of ultrasound is an effective technique that can be used as an external aid for both membrane fouling control and membrane cleaning. The purpose of this review paper is to provide an updated and comprehensive review of ultrasound as an effective tool for membrane flux enhancement and membrane cleaning. In addition to briefly discussing the mechanisms of membrane fouling, theories related to ultrasonic waves, acoustic cavitation, cavitational collapse, and ultrasound-induced effects are addressed. The key challenges in industrial application of ultrasound for flux enhancement and membrane cleaning are also discussed.
Keywords: Membrane fouling, membrane cleaning, flux enhancement, ultrasound, pretreatment
College: Faculty of Science and Engineering
Start Page: 143
End Page: 164