Real-time diagnosis and monitoring of biofilm and corrosion layer formation on different water pipe materials using non-invasive imaging methods.

Water distribution networks play a crucial role in ensuring a reliable water supply, yet they encounter challenges such as corrosion, scale formation, and biofilm growth due to interactions with environmental elements. Biofilms and corrosion layers are significant contaminants in water pipes, formed by complex interactions with pipe materials. As the structure of these contamination layers varies depending on the pipe material, it is essential to investigate the contamination layer for each material individually.

An efficient data-driven desalination approach for the element-scale forward osmosis (FO)-reverse osmosis (RO) hybrid systems.

Freshwater shortages are a consequence of the rapid increase in population, and desalination of saltwater has gained popularity as an alternative water treatment method in recent years. To date, the forward osmosis-reverse osmosis (FO-RO) hybrid technology has been proposed as a low-energy and environmentally friendly next-generation seawater desalination process. Scaling up the FO-RO hybrid system significantly affects the success of a commercial-scale process.

Ionic fluid as a novel cleaning agent for the control of irreversible fouling in reverse osmosis membrane processes.

While a variety of chemical cleaning strategies has been studied to control fouling in membrane-based water treatment processes, the removal of irreversible foulants strongly bound on membrane surfaces has not been successful. In this study, we firstly investigated the diluted aqueous solutions of ionic fluid (IF, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate) as a cleaning agent for three model organic foulants (humic acid, HA; bovine serum albumin, BSA; sodium alginate, SA). The real-time monitoring of cleaning progress by optical coherence tomography (OCT) showed that fouling layer was dramatically swelled by introducing IF solution and removed by shear force exerted during cleaning.

Prediction of forward osmosis membrane engineering factors using artificial intelligence approach.

Currently, forward osmosis (FO) is widely studied for wastewater treatment and reuse. However, there are still challenges which need to be addressed for the application of the FO on a commercial scale. In the meantime, with a strong capability to solve the complicated nonlinear relationships and to examine of the relations between multiple variables, artificial intelligence (AI) technique could be a viable tool to improve FO system performance to make it more applicable.

Possibility assessment of ultrafiltration membrane pre-treatment efficiency for brackish water reverse osmosis-based wastewater reuse: Lab and demonstration.

Ultrafiltration (UF) membranes are considered a pre-treatment for brackish water reverse osmosis (BWRO) membranes because of the high rejection rate of particulates and the productivity of the final water quantity. This study presents the performance and membrane surface property analysis of UF membranes for commercial membrane manufacturers, and their structural strength and chemical resistance were evaluated. Moreover, the pilot-scale UF-BWRO process was operated for two months using real wastewater based on the results of this study.

Fate, elimination, and simulation of low-molecular-weight micropollutants in an integrated activated carbon-fertiliser drawn osmotic membrane bioreactor.

This study investigated the behaviour and simulation of low-molecular-weight (low-MW) micropollutants (MPs) in a powdered activated carbon (PAC)-assisted fertiliser-drawn OMBR. 10% increase in water recovery and two times thinner fouling layer were observed in OMBR with addition of 100 mg-PAC/g-MLSS. This amount of PAC also boosted the richness and diversity in microbial community (Chao1 and Shannon index increased 1.

Facile Surface Modification of Polyamide Membranes Using UV-Photooxidation Improves Permeability and Reduces Natural Organic Matter Fouling.

A new optimized ultraviolet (UV) technique induced a photooxidation surface modification on thin-film composite (TFC) polyamide (PA) brackish water reverse osmosis (BWRO) membranes that improved membrane performance (i.e., permeability and organic fouling propensity).

Real-time fouling monitoring and membrane autopsy analysis in forward osmosis for wastewater reuse.

Forward osmosis process in emerging technology which can applicable in wastewater reuse and desalination simultaneously. In this study, the development of fouling on the FO membrane surface was monitored in real-time. The investigation of fouling layer physical and chemical characteristics was assessed by performance evaluation and in-depth analysis of fouling layer.

Effects of microplastics on the removal of trace organic compounds during ozonation: Oxidation and adsorption of trace organic compounds and byproducts.

Trace organic compounds (TOrCs) and microplastics (MPs) have been recognized as emerging pollutants that cause severe water pollution related problems due to their non-degradable and bio-accumulative nature. Many studies on oxidation processes such as ozone have been conducted to efficiently remove TOrCs in water treatment. However, there has been a lack of research on the removal efficiency of TOrCs in the oxidation process when they co-exist with MPs and form transformation byproducts (TBPs) during this process.

Real-time monitoring of forward osmosis membrane fouling in wastewater reuse process performed with a deep learning model.

Monitoring fouling behavior for better understanding and control has recently gained increasing attention. However, there is no practical method for observing membrane fouling in real time, especially in the forward osmosis (FO) process. In this article, we used the optical coherence tomography (OCT) technique to conduct real-time monitoring of the membrane fouling layer in the FO process.

Low-pressure volume retarded osmosis for removal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

Forward osmosis is an energy efficient process that is capable of recovering high-quality water from secondary wastewater treatment. However, regeneration of the draw solution (DS) is a problem that needs to be addressed. Herein, we developed and optimized a one-step process that does not require additional treatment for the DS.

An osmotic membrane bioreactor-clarifier system with a deep learning model for simultaneous reduction of salt accumulation and membrane fouling.

This study investigates a novel hybrid configuration of an osmotic membrane bioreactor-clarifier (OMBRC) to achieve the simultaneous reduction of salt accumulation and membrane fouling. Compared with the conventional OMBR, the OMBRC demonstrated 14 times lower conductivity after 40 d of operation, achieving maximum values exceeding 25,000 and 1800 μS/cm, respectively. The average water flux and flux recovery were approximately 3 and 6 times higher in the OMBRC than in the OMBR, respectively.

Electrochemical recovery of H and nutrients (N, P) from synthetic source separate urine water.

This study examined an electrochemical method of H production and nutrient recovery from synthetic source separated urine (SSU). The efficacy of H production was examined through hydrogen recovery experiments (HRE) using Ni foam electrodes. Similarly, nutrient (N and P) recovery was also examined in post-nutrient recovery experiments (NRE) with sacrificial Mg electrodes.

Effects of co-existence of organic matter and microplastics on the rejection of PFCs by forward osmosis membrane.

Perfluorinated chemical (PFC)-based materials have been widely applied in industry. In this study, the influence of PFCs on the physicochemical properties of membranes and that of the co-existence of organic matter and microplastics on the removal rate in the process of forward osmosis (FO) was examined. The water flux, reverse salt flux, and rejection of PFCs were evaluated under w and w/o contaminants.

Characterization and control of membrane fouling during dewatering of activated sludge using a thin film composite forward osmosis membrane.

This study investigated the feasibility of applying a thin film composite (TFC) forward osmosis (FO) membrane in the dewatering of activated sludge (AS). Membrane fouling was investigated and controlled to enhance the system's performance. Investigations showed that the TFC FO membrane provided a water flux that was 120 % higher and a concentration factor that was three times higher compared to a cellulose tri-acetate (CTA) membrane.

Optimization of alginate bead size immobilized with Chlorella vulgaris and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii for nutrient removal.

Photo-bioreactor experiments using three different size beads (2.0, 3.5, and 5.

Reduction of biofouling potential in cartridge filter by using chlorine dioxide for enhancing anti-biofouling of seawater reverse osmosis membrane.

In general, cartridge filters (CFs) are installed before reverse osmosis systems as a safeguard to minimize fouling of the reverse osmosis membrane in seawater desalination plants. Depending on the retention time of microorganisms and various fouling matter in the storage tank, pipe, and filter housing, serious fouling of the CF may occur, decreasing its lifetime. More importantly, biofouling of CFs in a continuous process can have a significant impact on reverse osmosis membrane fouling.

Application of volume retarded osmosis - Low pressure membrane hybrid process for recovery of heavy metals in acid mine drainage.

Recovery of heavy metals in acid mine drainage (AMD) such as Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, As, Cd and Pb was evaluated using volume retarded osmosis and low-pressure membrane (VRO-LPM) process. In VRO-LPM process, the draw solution (DS) is regenerated by the naturally generated pressure, giving its economic value. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid tetrasodium salt (EDTA-4Na) and Poly (sodium-4-styrenesulfonate, PSS-Na) were used and compared to determine more suitable DS in heavy metal recovery from the AMD.

Application of a volume retarded osmosis-low pressure membrane hybrid process for treatment of acid whey.

This study evaluated the treatment of acid whey through a volume-retarded osmosis-low-pressure membrane (VRO-LPM) hybrid process. The VRO-LPM process uses pressure naturally generated inside the closed draw solution (DS) tank to regenerate the DS, making it an economic process. Poly (sodium-4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) were compared to determine which was a more suitable DS for acid whey treatment.

Application of volume-retarded osmosis and low-pressure membrane hybrid process for water reclamation.

A new concept of volume-retarded osmosis and low-pressure membrane (VRO-LPM) hybrid process was developed and evaluated for the first time in this study. Commercially available forward osmosis (FO) and ultrafiltration (UF) membranes were employed in a VRO-LPM hybrid process to overcome energy limitations of draw solution (DS) regeneration and production of permeate in the FO process. To evaluate its feasibility as a water reclamation process, and to optimize the operational conditions, cross-flow FO and dead-end mode UF processes were individually evaluated.

New concept of pump-less forward osmosis (FO) and low-pressure membrane (LPM) process.

We tested the possibility of energy-saving water treatment methods by using a pump-less forward osmosis (FO) and low-pressure membrane (LPM) hybrid process (FO-LPM). In this pump-less FO-LPM, permeate migrates from the feed solution (FS) to the draw solution (DS) through the FO membrane by use of osmotic pressure differences. At the same time, within the closed DS tank, inner pressure increases as the DS volume increases.