IEC 175 |
| Jian-Jun Qin, Maung-Htun Oo, and Hsiaowan Lee. Centre for Advanced Water Technology, Singapore Utilities International Pte Ltd, Blk 2, # 241, 18 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637723, Singapore, Singapore |
| Control of fouling is an important issue in reverse osmosis (RO) processes. Feed pH is one of essential parameters to control the fouling. However, there is lack of systematic study of effect of feed pH on permeate pH in RO. This study explored the effect of feed pH of town water on permeate pH in a RO process through laboratory tests. Feed pH in the range of 1-7 was investigated using four types of RO membranes. It was found that for all RO membranes tested in this study, there was a critical feed pH value. Below the critical value, permeate pH was higher than feed pH while above the critical value, permeate pH was lower than feed pH although the absolute critical pH values for different membranes varied. These results have not been reported so far. In addition, a critical pH value was also found as Desal 5 membrane was tested with a solution of pure NaNO3 in DI water, which differed from the published results. An attempt at explaining the observation was offered. These findings will benefit to the fouling control of RO membrane in water treatment. |
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General Poster Session
5:00 PM-7:00 PM, Tuesday, March 25, 2003 Convention Center -- Hall G, Poster
Division of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry |