Silica scaling is currently a bottleneck factor for RO operations because current methods of mitigating silica scaling, such as antiscalants or chemical pretreatment, are expensive and ineffective. This project aims to quantify how modifying the surface chemistry of RO membranes affects flux decline due to silica scaling. Silica scaling flux decline studies for unmodified RO membrane and membranes modified for varying surface chemistries (i.e., varying charge) will be examined to resolve relationships between membrane surface chemistry and silica scaling tendency. In addition, the combined effects of silica scaling and other types of fouling (e.g., humic acid or NOM) will be examined, with conclusions drawn about possible synergistic relationships between silica and other foulants on a membrane surface. Developing silica scaling-resistant membranes can be a promising and cost-effective approach to mitigating severe and irreversible membrane damage.

Examining relationship of surface chemistry to silica scaling and combined silica-foulant fouling with modified RO membranes

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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