title: Removal of biological and non-biological viral surrogates by spiral-wound reverse osmosis membrane elements with intact and compromised integrity.
abstract: The removal of bacteriophage MS2 and fluorescent-dyed polystyrene microspheres with intact and purposely compromised spiral-wound RO membrane elements was investigated. MS2 rejection with intact membrane elements was >99.9995%. A model developed for data evaluation revealed that the advective passage of MS2 through imperfections of intact membrane elements was <2 x 10(-5)% of the overall product water flow produced. The advective passage of MS2 and microspheres through a pinhole induced in one of the elements was 0.05-0.1% of the overall product water flow. Prolonged testing of both intact and compromised elements resulted in increased MS2 rejection corresponding to advective MS2 passage through membrane imperfections of <3 x 10(-7)% of the overall product water flow. The permeate flow rate obtained with an element with a larger pinhole was 5-13% greater than that of the intact element, and the corresponding rejection of MS2 and microspheres was similar to that observed for sodium chloride. The use of a cracked o-ring in the connection of the permeate tube to the element vessel end-cup resulted in advective passage of MS2 through the crack of <0.0001% of the overall permeate flow.
authors.affiliation: University of Illinois, 205 North Mathews, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.
authors.forename: Baoxia
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mi
authors.forename: Courtney L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Eaton
authors.forename: Jae-Hong
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Christian K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Colvin
authors.forename: James C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Lozier
authors.forename: Benito J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Mariñas
mesh_terms: D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D017909:Levivirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008863:Microspheres; D009995:Osmosis; D011137:Polystyrenes; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011137:Polystyrenes