Membrane Fouling
The membrane separation process utilizes a high pressure feed to force water through a semi-permeable barrier. As the water passes through the membrane, contaminants are rejected. During normal operation, membranes can become fouled by colloidal material, inorganic oxides, biological matter, and scaling salts. Fouling involves the entrapment of material in the feed water that deposits on the surface of the membrane. Deposits can accrue until they cause a reduction in flow, increase in feed pressure requirements, and loss of salt rejection. Many chemicals work to combat scaling and fouling by bonding with contaminants in the water.
