In-line quantification and characterization of membrane fouling

Bucs, Szilard; Hekkert, Sacco Te Lintel; Staal, Marc Jaap; Vrouwenvelder, Johannes S.

In-line quantification and characterization of membrane fouling

Files

WO2016092371A1.pdf (286.49 KB)

Type

Patent

Patent Status

Published Application

Authors

Bucs, Szilard

Hekkert, Sacco Te Lintel
Staal, Marc Jaap
Vrouwenvelder, Johannes S.

Assignee

King Abdullah University Of Science And Technology

KAUST Department

Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE) Division

Date

2016-06-16

Submitted Date

2014-12-10

Abstract

Methods of detecting, quantifying and/or characterizing the fouling of a device from a combination of pressure and spectroscopic data are provided. The device can be any device containing components susceptible to fouling. Components can include membranes, pipes, or reactors. Suitable devices include membrane devices, heat exchangers, and chemical or bio-reactors. Membrane devices can include, for example, microfiltration devices, ultrafiltration devices, nanofiltration devices, reverse osmosis, forward osmosis, osmosis, reverse electrodialysis, electro- deionisation or membrane distillation devices. The methods can be applied to any type of membrane, including tubular, spiral, hollow fiber, flat sheet, and capillary membranes. The spectroscopic characterization can include measuring one or more of the absorption, fluorescence, or raman spectroscopic data of one or more foulants. The methods can allow for the early detection and/or characterization of fouling. The characterization can include determining the specific foulant(s) or type of foulant(s) present. The characterization of fouling can allow for the selection of an appropriate de-fouling method and timing.

Application Number

WO 2016092371 A1