Quantitative analysis on fouling of forward osmosis-reverse osmosis (FO-RO) hybrid system for combining water reuse and desalination: applicability of the modified fouling index (MFI)
In this study, various physical cleaning methods such as physical washing and osmotic backwash, were performed to understand membrane fouling characteristics by employing real secondary wastewater effluent (SWWE). In addition, microfiltration (MF) and ultrafiltration (UF) pretreatments were compared to maximize removal of organic matter and to control membrane fouling efficiently. Organic foulants deposited on the active layer of FO membrane were observed by fouling behavior test. The relationship between concentrations of natural organic matter and membrane fouling was also investigated from the bench-scale FO tests. Finally, by quantitative analysis of correlations between foulants and fouling reversibility with the modified fouling index (MFI), we identified the applicability of MFI in predicting FO intake water fouling potential.