Removal of Natural Organic Matter by Forward Osmosis Membrane: Flux Behaviour and Foulant Characterization

doi:10.1007/s40242-015-4374-1

Abstract

Abstract:

Fouling of cellulose triacetate(CTA) forward osmosis(FO) membranes by natural organic matter(NOM) was studied by means of a cross-flow flat-sheet forward osmosis membrane system. The NOM solution was employed as the feed solution(FS), and a sodium chloride solution(3 mol/L) was used for the draw solution(DS). The process was conducted at various temperatures and cross-flow velocities. The flux decline was investigated with 3 h forward osmosis operation. The substances absorbed on the membranes were cleaned by ultrasonic oscillation of the fouled membranes and were characterized by methodologies including fluorescence excitation-emission matrices (EEMs) and liquid chromatography with an organic carbon detector(LC-OCD), and the variations of membrane properties were also investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer(FTIR) and a contact angle meter. It was noted that the rejection efficiency of NOM is remarkable and that ultrasonic oscillation is an effective method to extract the NOM fouled on the CTA membranes after FO process. A higher cross-flow velocity and lower temperature benefit the anti-fouling capacity of the membrane significantly. Although humic substances accounted for the majo- rity of the NOM, aromatic proteins and amino acids were the main fouling components on the membranes, with symbolic FTIR peaks at 2355, 1408 and 873 cm^-1. The present surface foulant made the membranes becoming more hydrophilic, as demonstrated by a significant decrease in contact angle(ranging from 20% to 46%) under all the operation conditions.

Key words: Drinking water, Forward osmosis, Fouling, Natural organic matter, Extraction, Membrane flux

XIA Shengji, YANG Ruilin, ZHANG Xinhuan, NI Muzi, WAN Yukun, YAO Lijuan, GAO Naiyun. Removal of Natural Organic Matter by Forward Osmosis Membrane: Flux Behaviour and Foulant Characterization[J]. Chemical Research in Chinese Universities, 2015, 31(2): 308-314.

References

[1] Emadzadeh D., Lau W. J., Ismail A. F., Desalination, 2013, 330, 90
[2] Castrillon S. R. V., Lu X. L., Shaffer D. L., Elimelech M., Journal of Membrane Science, 2014, 450, 331
[3] Emadzadeh D., Lau W. J., Matsuura T., Rahbari-Sisakht M., Ismail A. F., Chemical Engineering Journal, 2014, 237, 70
[4] Lu X. L., Castrillon S. R. V., Shaffer D. L., Ma J., Elimelech M., Environmental Science and Technology, 2013, 47(21), 12219
[5] Pardeshi P., Mungray A. A., Journal of Membrane Science, 2014, 453, 202
[6] Cath T. Y., Elimelech M., McCutcheon J. R., McGinnis R. L., Achilli A., Anastasio D., Brady A. R., Childress A. E., Farr I. V., Hancock N. T., Lampi J., Nghiem L. D., Xie M., Yip N. Y., Desalination, 2013, 312, 31
[7] Phuntsho S., Hong S., Elimelech M., Shon H. K., Journal of Membrane Science, 2014, 453, 240
[8] Xie M., Nghiem L. D., Price W. E., Elimelech M., Water Research, 2014, 49, 265
[9] Boo C., Elimelech M., Hong S., Journal of Membrane Science, 2013, 444, 148
[10] Xie M., Price W. E., Nghiem L. D., Elimelech M., Journal of Membrane Science, 2013, 438, 57
[11] Kim J. E., Phuntsho S., Shon H. K., Desalination and Water Treatment, 2013, 51(31―33), 6265
[12] Phuntsho S., Hong S., Elimelech M., Shon H. K., Journal of Membrane Science, 2013, 436, 1
[13] Phuntsho S., Sahebi S., Majeed T., Lotfi F., Kim J. E., Shon H. K., Chemical Engineering Journal, 2013, 231, 484
[14] Coday B. D., Xu P., Beaudry E. G., Herron J., Lampi K., Hancock N. T., Cath T. Y., Desalination, 2014, 333(1), 23
[15] Lay W. C. L., Chong T. H., Tang C. Y., Fane A. G., Zhang J., Liu Y., Water Science and Technology, 2010, 61(4), 927
[16] Tang C. Y., She Q., Lay W. C. L., Wang R., Fane A. G., Journal of Membrane Science, 2010, 354(1/2), 123
[17] Linares R. V., Yangali-Quintanilla V., Li Z., Amy G., Journal of Membrane Science, 2012, 421, 217
[18] Wang Y., Wicaksana F., Tang C. Y., Fane A. G., Environmental Science and Technology, 2010, 44(18), 7102
[19] Carroll T., King S., Gray S. R., Bolto B. A., Booker N. A., Water Research, 2000, 34(11), 2861
[20] Jones K. L., O'Melia C. R., Journal of Membrane Science, 2000, 165(1), 31
[21] Lee N. H., Amy G., Croue J. P., Buisson H., Water Research, 2004, 38(20), 4511
[22] Gu Y., Wang Y. N., Wei J., Tang C. Y., Water Research, 2013, 47(5), 1867
[23] Kuzmenko D., Arkhangelsky E., Belfer S., Freger V., Gitis V., Desalination, 2005, 179(1―3), 323
[24] Wang Y. N., Tang C. Y., Environmental Science and Technology, 2011, 45(20), 8941
[25] McCutcheon J. R., McGinnis R. L., Elimelech M., Journal of Membrane Science, 2006, 278(1/2), 114
[26] McCutcheon J. R., McGinnis R. L., Elimelech M., Desalination, 2005, 174(1), 1
[27] Xie Y., Ma R., Xia S., Desalination and Water Treatment, 2013, 51(4―6), 800
[28] Chen W., Westerhoff P., Leenheer J. A., Booksh K., Environmental Science and Technology, 2003, 37(24), 5701
[29] Coble P. G., Marine Chemistry, 1996, 51(4), 325
[30] Hudson N., Baker A., Reynolds D., River Research and Applications, 2007, 23(6), 631
[31] Jawor A., Hoek E. M. V., Desalination, 2009, 235(1―3), 44
[32] Jin X., Jawor A., Kim S., Hoek E. M., Desalination, 2009, 239(1―3), 346
[33] Wu Y. H., He J. Z., Hu Z. Y., Yang L. Z., Zhang N. M., Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2011, 194, 1
[34] Hancock N. T., Xu P., Roby M. J., Gomez J. D., Cath T. Y., Journal of Membrane Science, 2013, 445, 34
[35] Batsch A., Tyszler D., Brugger A., Panglisch S., Melin T., Desalination, 2005, 178(1―3), 63
[36] Zheng X., Ernst M., Jekel M., Water Research, 2009, 43(1), 238
[37] Linares R. V., Yangali-Quintanilla V., Li Z., Amy G., Water Research, 2011, 45(20), 6737