title: Validation of 3D simulations of reverse osmosis membrane biofouling.
abstract: The increasing demand for drinking water and its stricter quality requirements have resulted in an exponentially expanding industry of membrane filtration processes. Currently, reverse osmosis (RO) is the most common method of desalination, able to produce water that is virtually free of pollutants and pathogenic micro-organisms. Biofouling of these devices however is a significant limitation. Here we present a 3D simulation of RO membrane biofouling based on a lattice Boltzmann (LB) platform that we subsequently favorably compare with experimental data. This data consists of temporally (and spatially) resolved velocity measurements acquired for a RO membrane using magnetic resonance techniques. The effect of biofilm cohesive strength on system pressure drop is then explored; weaker biomass is observed to have a reduced impact on pressure drop (per unit biomass accumulated).
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3RA, UK.
authors.forename: Thomas R R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Pintelon
authors.forename: Sarah A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Creber
authors.forename: Daniel A Graf
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: von der Schulenburg
authors.forename: Michael L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Johns
mesh_terms: D057219:Biofouling; D005374:Filtration / Q000379:methods*; D006874:Hydrostatic Pressure; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008566:Membranes; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009995:Osmosis; D013997:Time Factors; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods*