Reverse Osmosis

Jane Kucera is a senior technical consultant with Nalco Water, an Ecolab Company, where she designs water and wastewater use and reuse facilities. With over 40 years of experience, she has an MS in chemical engineering and has authored two books, both with Scrivener Publishing, the first and second editions of Reverse Osmosis, and the first and second editions of Desalination: Water from Water. She is active in the International Water Conference (IWC) and served as the 2023 Conference Chair. She received the 2021 Award of Merit offered by the Engineers’ Society of Western Pennsylvania for her work in the water treatment industry and contributions to the IWC. Jane has a Teaching Credential from the State of California and taught chemistry at Linfield University, Los Angeles Valley College, and Central Oregon Community College.

• Preface to the 3rd Edition xxiAcknowledgements xxiiiSection I: Fundamentals 11 Introduction to Reverse Osmosis: History, Challenges, and Future Directions 31.1 Introduction 31.2 A Brief History of Reverse Osmosis 51.3 Challenges and Prospects 141.4 Summary 26Symbols 26Nomenclature 27References 272 Principles and Terminology 332.1 Semipermeable Membranes 332.2 Osmosis 332.3 Reverse Osmosis 352.4 Basic Performance Parameters: Recovery, Rejection, and Flux 352.5 Filtration 432.5.1 Dead-End Filtration 432.5.2 Cross-Flow Filtration 432.6 Concentration Polarization 45Symbols 47Nomenclature 48References 483 Membranes: Transport Models, Characterization, and Elements 513.1 Membrane Transport Models 513.2 Polymeric Membranes 573.3 Membrane Elements 803.4 Specialty Membranes and Elements 91Symbols 95Nomenclature 96References 97Section II: System Design and Engineering 1034 Basic Design Arrangements and Concentration Polarization Guidelines 1054.1 Arrays and Stages 1054.2 Passes 113Symbols 115Nomenclature 115References 1155 RO System Design Using Design Software 1175.1 RO System Design Guidelines 1175.2 Step-by-Step Design—Sample Problem 1185.3 Design Software 1215.4 Optimum Design Result for the Sample Problem 140Symbols 141Nomenclature 141References 1426 Design Considerations 1436.1 Feed Water Source and Quality 1436.2 System Operations 1496.3 Existing RO System Design Considerations 157Symbols 161Nomenclature 161References 1627 RO Equipment 1637.1 Basic RO Skid Components 1637.2 Skid Design Considerations 1817.3 Energy Recovery Devices (ERDs) 1967.4 Clean-In-Place (CIP) Equipment 2007.5 Mobile RO Equipment 203Symbols 205Nomenclature 205References 206Section III: Membrane Deposition and Degradation: Causes, Effects, and Mitigation via Pretreatment and Operations 2078 Membrane Scaling 2118.1 What is Membrane Scale? 2118.2 Effects of Scale on Membrane Performance 2128.3 Hardness Scales 2158.4 Silica Scale 2268.5 Struvite 2368.6 Scaling Mitigation Guidelines—Summary 239Symbols 240Nomenclature 240References 2409 Generalized Membrane Fouling 2499.1 What is Membrane Fouling? 2499.2 Classification and Measurement of Potential Foulants 2509.3 Effects of Fouling on Membrane Performance 2659.4 Pretreatment to Minimize Membrane Fouling 2799.5 Feed Water Quality Guidelines to Minimize Membrane Fouling 323Symbols 324Nomenclature 324References 32610 RO Membrane Biofouling 33510.1 What is RO Membrane Biofouling? 33510.2 Factors Affecting Membrane Biofouling 33910.3 Effects of Biofouling on Membrane Performance 34210.4 Measurement of Biofouling 34310.5 Mitigation Techniques 34510.6 Biofouling and Mitigation Summary 376Symbols 378Nomenclature 378References 37911 Membrane Degradation 38711.1 Chemical Degradation 38811.2 Mechanical Damage 404Symbols 412Nomenclature 412References 412Section IV: System Monitoring, Normalization, and Troubleshooting 41712 Data Collection and Normalization 41912.1 Data Collection 41912.2 Data Normalization 422Symbols 427Subscripts 428Nomenclature 428References 42813 Membrane Issues and Troubleshooting 43113.1 Observed Performance Issues 43213.2 Common Causes of Performance Failures 44513.3 Troubleshooting Techniques 447Symbols 471Nomenclature 471References 472Section V: Off-Line Activities: Membrane Cleaning, Flushing, and Layup 47514 Membrane Cleaning 47714.1 When to Clean 47814.2 Cleaning Chemicals 47914.3 Cleaning Equipment Design 48314.4 Cleaning Techniques 48714.5 Determining the Efficacy of Cleaning 49314.6 Clean-In-Place (CIP) Versus Offsite Cleaning 49414.7 Membrane Disinfection 495Symbols 500Nomenclature 500References 50115 Controlling Off-Line Membrane Deposition via Flushing and Layup 50515.1 Membrane Flushing 50515.2 Membrane Layup 50815.3 Membrane Preservation 510Nomenclature 512References 512Section VI: Sustainability and Future Prospects 51516 Concentrate Management 51716.1 Discharge 51716.2 Land Application 51916.3 Reuse 51916.4 Off-Site Disposal 52316.5 Emerging Technologies for Concentrate Management 523Symbols 529Nomenclature 529References 52917 High-Recovery Reverse Osmosis 53117.1 Single-Step High Recovery Processes 53117.2 Enhanced High Recovery Processes with Interstage Solute Precipitation 54817.3 Multi-Step High Recovery Membrane Processes 55217.3.1 Toward Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) 552Symbols 558Nomenclature 558References 55918 New and Alternative Membrane Materials For Sustainability 56518.1 Specific Requirements to Improve Sustainability 56618.2 Membrane Materials to Meet RO Demineralization Challenges 571Nomenclature 594References 595Index 601