Reduction of RO fouling through Ozone + Ceramic MF/UF membrane pre-treatment

With the increased use of ceramic MF/UF (CUF) membranes, innovative pre-treatment methods have come along.

One that has shown significant improvement to membrane permeability is the use of Ozone before CUF. Several studies have shown an excess of 25% increase in flux rate [LMH] and at Cembrane we have seen up to 50% flux increases on secondary effluents and surface waters.

However, a question often raised is, does ozone oxidation before the MF/UF “kick the fouling can down the road” to the Reverse Osmosis?

A fairly recent study demonstrates that not only is the fouling reduced on the CUF pre-treatment, the RO membrane also enjoys a lower fouling rate from the introduction of ozone in the CUF pre-treatment. Here are some conclusions:

·         Oxidation by ozone or UV peroxide enhanced sustainable CUF flux

·         Oxidation reduced hydrophobic, biopolymer and humic fractions

·         Altered organic properties attributed to reduced RO biofouling potential

·         Oxidation significantly altered the texture of RO fouling material from smooth and dense to porous and granular

·         Biofilm analysis revealed ozone-coagulant-CMF greatly limited extension of bacteria communities from the membrane surface suggesting oxidation reduces RO biofouling

Read the full article here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0011916417313024