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Despite the huge success of membrane processes in desalination, a major disadvantage that still plagues membrane is their susceptibility to fouling, which increases operational cost and decreases plant availability and reliability. Local Saudi conditions in the Arabian Gulf and Red Sea pose unique challenges due to high salinities, frequent algal blooms, and conditions that favor biological activity.
Aims
ñ To gain increased understanding of the fundamental phenomena of membrane fouling with particular focus on local Saudi seawater conditions.
ñ To find new and improved methods to mitigate the effects of membrane fouling.
ñ To test and optimize novel feed pretreatment processes.
Outcome
Success of this program can be measured by a number of outcomes and indicators, including any combination of the following:
ñ Successful development and demonstration of a novel technique for characterizing the fouling potential of raw water from a particular source.
ñ Successful bench and/or pilot-scale demonstration of a novel pretreatment process or technology.
ñ Increased understanding of fouling characteristics of local seawater sources.
ñ Successful publication of program results in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
Subprogram 2.1: Novel predictive techniques for membrane fouling characterization
The aim of the program is to implement advanced monitoring and sensing techniques for the measurement of membrane fouling rates under various pretreatment conditions, and to develop a new predictive fouling index through correlation with pilot-scale RO data. This subprogram will be implemented in collaboration with Hitachi Plant Technologies, Japan.
Subprogram 2.2: Characterization of foulants in local Saudi Seawater
The aim of this program is to gain further understanding of the presence, nature and variation of colloidal, organic, and biological foulants in Saudi seawater. Such knowledge is invaluable for effective plant site selection and pretreatment system design. It is expected to implement the program in collaboration with the faculty of marine sciences at KAU, and SWCC.
Subprogram 2.3: Novel Pretreatment Techniques
This program aims to test and evaluate recently proposed pretreatment technologies such as ceramic membranes at the lab and pilot scales, and to optimize their design, operation and chemical dosing for local Saudi conditions. Proper treatments of ceramic membrane surface for enhancement of its characteristics against fouling will suggested and tested. Also suitable protocols for pretreatment of feed seawater will be developed based on the local conditions and accumulated experience of operators of desalination plants.
Project:
“Seawater RO pretreatment using a ceramic membrane filtration system”
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