YANGXin,LIUXuyang,WANGJun,et al.Impact of Jellyfish Blooms on the Operation of a 10×104 m3/d Seawater Desalination Project and Its Prevention and Control Measures[J].China Water & Wastewater,2026,42(8):41-47.
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Impact of Jellyfish Blooms on the Operation of a 10×104 m3/d Seawater Desalination Project and Its Prevention and Control Measures

China Water & Wastewater[ISSN:1000-4062/CN:12-1073/TU] volume: 第42卷 Number: 第8期 Page: 41-47 Column: Date of publication: 2026-04-17
Author(s):
YANG　Xin1; 2;  LIU　Xuyang1; 2; 3;  WANG　Jun2;  YANG　Xingtao2;  LIU　Xiaozhi4;  DONG　Xiaoliang5;  YU　Chongqin1;  YIN　Tao2;  XU　Baiheng2;  PAN　Wenquan2
（1. Qingdao Baifa Seawater Desalination Co. Ltd.， Qingdao 266041， China； 2. Qingdao Seawater Desalination Co. Ltd.， Qingdao 266071， China； 3. College of Marine Life Sciences， Ocean University of China， Qingdao 266003， China； 4. Qingdao Water Resources Biyuan Water Technology Development Co. Ltd.， Qingdao 266071， China； 5. Shandong Marine High?tech Development Co. Ltd.， Qingdao 266000， China）
Keywords:
seawater desalination;  jellyfish blooms;  electricity consumption;  chemical consumption;  transmembrane pressure difference;  equipment failure items;  term frequency analysis
Abstract:
Jellyfish blooms significantly compromise the operational efficiency of seawater desalination plants. This study investigates a dual?membrane desalination system with the scale of 10×104 m3/d, analyzing the term frequency distribution of equipment failure items, electricity/chemical consumption, and the variation of transmembrane pressure (TMP) in ultrafiltration(UF) and reverse osmosis(RO) systems after Aurelia aurita outbreaks, with the aim of revealing the impacts of jellyfish blooms on desalination plant and proposing prevention and control strategies. Key findings indicate that bloom events primarily affect UF systems, with equipment failures occurring in FRP pipes (especially discharge pipeline T-joints) and valves, predominantly through leakage and corrosion mechanisms—highlighting the importance of preventive maintenance. The research quantifies substantial operational impacts: UF chemical cleaning electricity consumption surges by 75.0%, while UF and RO chemical cleaning experience 28.1% and 14.5% higher electricity requirements, respectively. Chemical consumption patterns reveal even more dramatic effects, with UF cleaning agents (NaClO and NaOH) showing dosage increases of 6.7% and 25.6%, respectively, with unit consumption increasing by 18.2% and 13.4%, respectively. Most strikingly, RO biocide requirements escalate by 323.6% (dosage) and 207.4% (unit consumption). Operational optimization demonstrates that adjusting UF cycles and intensifying cleaning protocols effectively manages TMP, whereas RO systems show limited responsiveness to chemical cleaning—suggesting cross-process contamination as a critical research focus. These evidence?based insights offer practical solutions for desalination plant management during jellyfish proliferation periods.
Last Update: 2026-04-17