AWWA MTC61142

Laboratory scale reverse osmosis (RO) filtration experiments were conducted to better understand the limitations of fouling on reclamation of Alamo River water (ARW) by membrane desalination. Effects of ion concentration polarization (CP), colloidal fouling, organic matter fouling, and biofouling on water flux and salt rejection were systematically investigated using laboratory prepared synthetic water. Fouled membranes were autopsied after experiments through scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Organic matter and microbes constituted a dense deposit layer with higher hydraulic fouling resistance than inorganic colloids, and higher flux decline was observed in the presence of larger trans-membrane osmotic pressure of salt. Includes 6 references, figures.