Dear Fellow researchers?
I would like to ask the difference between RO backwashing and Clean in Place procedure? WHich one is more effective? Advantages and disadvantages? Which one more cost effective?
Moreover, would like to ask the effectiveness of RO (water treatment facility) backwashing.
Is there a way to calculate or say how long the membrane replacement would be postponed with backwashing? and is the backwashing is a necessity of RO system?
This article may be of help
https://cdn.intechopen.com/pdfs/20343/InTech-Membrane_cleaning.pdf
@ Prof. John Machell has added an answer giving a link to a paper titled- Membrane Cleaning 24pgs, which gives all details which will provide all clarifications. Etc.
As regards, costing for Opex, you need to find it out locally from Contractors.
Which one is more effective:
Adding to the data already given in referred paper, would opine that replacement of the filter, would be the most effective. The used RO Membrane (old) can be cleaned externally by chemical Etc and kept in order for reuse.
Advantages and disadvantages :
Pl refer to the referred paper, it is definitely advantageous to renew filter cartridges, but cost/ Opex can be reduced if old and use-able filters are in service
Which one more cost effective?
As explained above.
In plant setup RO Filters in most cases are noted to be a set of membranes (2 or 4) and their specs are identical for sake of reducing inventory.
The filters at the inlet get more fouled than the filters in use at later stage, therefore they can be alternated after cleanup and usage hours are optimized.
The Forum is open to provide you the right perspective and answers.
Well wishes.
Thanks John Machell for this paper. It is giving all clarifications regarding cleaning
It is quite natural to get choked, fouling as the impuritues are forced and trapped into the pores. you may use an invention ESEM Effective Separation, Easy Maintenance which became the standards in Singapore River, all world expert designs have been removed. The flotsam are moved to riverbank by natural water flow. It can certainly be used for RO. it is patent filed and mentioned in The Gold beyond Green & Eco. https://www.amazon.com/Gold-Beyond-Green-Eco-Cities-Villages/dp/1543742386#
This is by creatively using forces of fluid dynamics. RO need not be fully by pressure.. Fluid Static
Hello Nomundari Erdene;
The main difference between RO backwashing and CIP procedure is that the CIP procedure is a chemical method used for removing mild membrane fouling. This method depends on the membrane foulants and regularly include NaOH, HCl, surfactants, and NaClO, also depending on the chemical resistance of the membrane. When fouling gets critical you need to use a drastic chemical method coupled with membrane backwashing. So RO backwashing is used for a more drastic membrane fouling. Membrane backwashing consits of passing a backflush through the membrane. The backflush transmembrane pressure regularly has to be low for polymeric membrane materials. In contrast, ceramic membranes allow the use of high backflush membrane pressures.
The literature recommended by Ajit Seshadri and John Machell is quite complete and informative. I also invite you to check the following RG question:
https://www.researchgate.net/post/What_is_the_most_suitable_method_to_remove_membrane_fouling
Hope this helps
Nomundari Erdene i do agree with the expert views above specially the ones shared by John Machell and Solvéré Lim
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