Model-Based Approach for Understanding Scaling in Reverse Osmosis Devices

摘要

Reverse osmosis (RO) is an increasingly popular technology for drinking water production from fresh, brackish and seawater. Crystallization of sparingly soluble salts (scaling) can lead to severe operational issues and membrane degradation in RO plants. In addition, scaling limits recovery in many cases. Currently, scaling prediction is based on one-dimensional models including drastic simplifications, i.e., uniform flow and concentrations varying only along the main flow direction in the feed channel. The complex flow pattern and solute distribution encountered in membrane processes require the development of a multidimensional (2-d and 3-d) model for a better understanding and prediction of the scaling process.