JUXin-yu,LIZhi-hao,ZHUMing-fei,et al.Impact of Algae-derived Foulants on Separation Efficiency of Forward Osmosis Membrane[J].China Water & Wastewater,2025,41(7):39-46.
Impact of Algae-derived Foulants on Separation Efficiency of Forward Osmosis Membrane
China Water & Wastewater[ISSN:1000-4062/CN:12-1073/TU]
volume:
第41卷
Number:
第7期
Page:
39-46
Column:
Date of publication:
2025-04-01
- Abstract:
- The primary challenge in utilizing forward osmosis (FO) for the treatment of algae-laden water is membrane fouling, which can be caused by the accumulation of both live and dead algal cells on the membrane surface, as well as the presence of algal-derived organic matter. This fouling may significantly impact the water flux. In this study, the impact of Microcystis aeruginosa-derived algal foulants on FO membrane separation was systematically investigated, and the primary foulants present during the separation process were identified. The flux loss caused by four types of Microcystis aeruginosa-derived foulants, live algal cells, dead algal cells, algal extracellular organic matter (EOM) and algal intracellular organic matter (IOM), were 27.43%, 9.57%, 13.14%, and 17.53%, respectively. Among these, the membrane fouling caused by live algal cells was the most severe, followed by that induced by IOM. The interfacial energy barrier for live algal cells (0.26×10-18 J) was significantly lower than that for dead algal cells (1.63×10-18 J). This suggested that the repulsive force between live algal cells and the FO membrane was weaker, resulting in more severe membrane fouling caused by live algal cells. The calculation results based on the XDLVO theory indicated that the interfacial free energy of living algal cells in combination with EOM was significantly more negative, leading to a higher propensity for aggregation and adhesion to the FO membrane. Consequently, this phenomenon contributed to the most substantial water flux loss among mixed foulants.
Last Update:
2025-04-01