Latin American and Caribbean Consortium of Engineering Institutions

Conference Track:  Emerging Technologies

Keywords:         concentration polarization, reverse osmosis, membranes, effect of temperature, effect of feed flow

Contact Title::    Prof.

Contact First Name: Mattheus (Theo)

Contact Last Name:  Goosen

University:       University of Turabo

Web:              www.suagm.edu

Position:         Dean

Country:          Puerto Rico

Email:            mgoosen@suagm.edu

Paper Title:

EFFECT OF FEED TEMPERATURE AND FLOW RATE ON PERMEATE FLUX IN SPIRAL WOUND REVERSE OSMOSIS SYSTEMS

Abstract:

The objective of the present study was to analyze and model concentration polarization in spiral wound seawater membrane elements. In particular, the influence of feed temperature, salinity and flow rate on permeate flow and salinity was evaluated. Membrane life time and permeate fluxes are primarily affected by the phenomena of concentration polarization (accumulation of solute) and fouling (i.e. microbial adhesion, gel layer formation and solute adhesion) at the membrane surface. Results show that the polymer membrane is very sensitive to changes in the feed temperature. There was up to a 60 % increase in the permeate flux when the feed temperature was increased from 20 to 40oC. This occurred both in the presence and absence of solute. There was up to a 100 % difference in the permeate flux between feed temperatures of 30 and 40oC.  The differences were statistically significant (p<0.05).  A doubling of the feed flow rate increased the permeate flux by up to 10 %, but only!

at a high solute concentration. Membrane parameters were estimated using an analytical osmotic pressure model for high salinity applications. A combined Spiegler-Kedem/film theory model described the experimental results. The modeling studies showed that the membrane transport parameters were influenced by the feed salt concentration and temperature.

Mailing Address:

Mattheus F. A. Goosen

School of Science and Technology

PO Box 3030

University of Turabo

Gurabo, Puerto Rico, 00778-3030

Email:       mgoosen@suagm.edu

Phone: +787 743-7979 Ext. 4167

Authors: 

Mattheus F. A. Goosen(P)/mgoosen@suagm.edu/School of Science and Technology, PO Box 3030, University of Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico, 00778-3030

Shyam S. Sablani, Salha S. Al-Maskari, Rashid H. Al-Belushi/shyam@squ.edu.om/Department of Bioresource and Agricultural Engineering, Sultan Qaboos University, PO Box 34, Al-Khod 123, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman

Mark Wilf/Hydranautics Ltd, CA, USA.