Chemical Cleaning Techniques for Fouled RO Membranes: Enhancing Fouling Removal and Assessing Microbial Composition

Mohammed A. Al-Balushi*, Htet Htet Kyaw, Myo Tay Zar Myint, Mohammed Al-Abri, Sergey Dobretsov*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Membrane fouling, a major challenge in desalination, is addressed in this study by investigating three different chemical cleaning protocols (A, B, and C) targeting fouled reverse osmosis (RO) membranes and microbial community composition. Cleaning protocols A and B involve different chemical treatments selected based on preliminary tests and literature review, while protocol C follows the manufacturer’s standard recommendation. Membrane morphology, foulant composition, and microbial community variability in fouled, virgin, and cleaned membranes are studied. Effective biofilm removal is observed across all protocols using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), while spectroscopic techniques highlight interactions between foulants and membranes. Importantly, a critical gap in understanding how cleaning strategies influence microbial communities on membranes is addressed. Shifts in dominant bacterial phyla (Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria) after cleaning are identified through 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Cleaning A showed the best results in reducing microbial counts and restoring composition similar to virgin membranes. Additionally, chemical treatment increased dominance of resistant genera such as Staphylococcus, Bacillus, Citrobacter, and Burkholderia. This study emphasizes the necessity for tailored fouling cleaning strategies for RO membranes, with Cleaning A is a promising solution, paving the way for enhanced water purification technologies.

Original languageEnglish
Article number204
JournalMembranes
Volume14
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2024

Keywords

  • biofouling
  • chemical treatment
  • metagenomic sequencing
  • microbes
  • microbial community
  • reverse osmosis membranes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Chemical Engineering (miscellaneous)
  • Process Chemistry and Technology
  • Filtration and Separation

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