Hole-Type Spacers for More Stable Shale Gas-Produced Water Treatment by Forward Osmosis
Type
ArticleKAUST Department
Chemical Engineering ProgramPhysical Science and Engineering (PSE) Division
Water Desalination and Reuse Research Center (WDRC)
Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE) Division
Environmental Science and Engineering Program
Date
2021-01-03Submitted Date
2020-11-24Permanent link to this record
http://hdl.handle.net/10754/666817
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
An appropriate spacer design helps in minimizing membrane fouling which remains the major obstacle in forward osmosis (FO) systems. In the present study, the performance of a hole-type spacer (having holes at the filament intersections) was evaluated in a FO system and compared to a standard spacer design (without holes). The hole-type spacer exhibited slightly higher water flux and reverse solute flux (RSF) when Milli-Q water was used as feed solution and varied sodium chloride concentrations as draw solution. During shale gas produced water treatment, a severe flux decline was observed for both spacer designs due to the formation of barium sulfate scaling. SEM imaging revealed that the high shear force induced by the creation of holes led to the formation of scales on the entire membrane surface, causing a slightly higher flux decline than the standard spacer. Simultaneously, the presence of holes aided to mitigate the accumulation of foulants on spacer surface, resulting in no increase in pressure drop. Furthermore, a full cleaning efficiency was achieved by hole-type spacer attributed to the micro-jets effect induced by the holes, which aided to destroy the foulants and then sweep them away from the membrane surface.Citation
AlQattan, J., Kim, Y., Kerdi, S., Qamar, A., & Ghaffour, N. (2021). Hole-Type Spacers for More Stable Shale Gas-Produced Water Treatment by Forward Osmosis. Membranes, 11(1), 34. doi:10.3390/membranes11010034Sponsors
The research reported in this paper was supported by King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabia. The authors extend their gratitude to Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC) staff for their continuous support.This research was funded by King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST).
Publisher
MDPI AGJournal
MembranesAdditional Links
https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/11/1/34ae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.3390/membranes11010034
Scopus Count
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