USING MODELING TO PREDICT REVERSE OSMOSIS (RO) MEMBRANE FOULING

he third project spotlight takes aim at two of the major cost drivers for desalination. RO is the most widely used desalination technology globally, but the membranes it relies on are—as noted above—susceptible to fouling via scaling or blockage by microscopic particulates.

In actual practice, tiny details of system design, choice of commercial membrane product, unexpected variability in feed water chemistry, and other factors make it very difficult to predict when scaling will occur. As a result, facilities invest huge amounts of money in pre-treatment and operate very conservatively to avoid scaling (e.g., frequent cleaning), driving up maintenance costs.

One research initiative is using advanced simulation to help solve the problem. The goal is to model the fluid dynamics and chemical composition of feed water passing through the membrane with extreme accuracy, allowing for the creation of predictive fouling models. If the project succeeds, it will help RO facilities operate with greater precision and control and make it easier to design more effective, less fouling-prone RO membranes.

Hope For The Future

These are far from the only innovations currently playing out at the cutting edge of desalination and water supply research. The three innovative projects discussed in this article exemplify the ingenuity and dedication of the NAWI community. There are many ways to become involved with NAWI, from applying for Alliance membership to volunteering to advise a project team as a Project Support Group member. By striving to improve water availability, quality, and affordability, these projects offer hope for a world where clean, potable water is accessible to all. With continued support and collaboration, these innovations will undoubtedly play a vital role in safeguarding our planet's most precious resource, ensuring a brighter and more sustainable future for generations to come.

The views expressed in the article do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Department of Energy or the United States Government.

About the Author

Lauren Nicole Core holds over 10 years of experience in human and environmental development across multiple sectors. She has lived, worked, and gained operational experience in countries including Türkiye, Brazil, India, Sweden, and Viet Nam. She’s worked with multiple United Nations agencies, including the World Food Programme, United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Volunteers - Sudan, and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; foreign, national, and local governments, such as the City of Los Angeles and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory; nonprofits such as EarthWatch, World Wildlife Fund, and Gaia Amazonas; academic institutions and think tanks such as the Semel

Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at the University of California, Los Angeles; and businesses such as REV – Sustainability Solutions for Business. She is also a film producer, writer, and director of live and animated short features, such as What is Farmer-led Irrigation? Unlocking Livelihood, Food, and Water Security. Lauren has delivered lectures, served as an expert panelist, and presented at conferences and institutions such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Lauren holds a Master of Arts in Environment and Development from King’s College London, the University of London, where she graduated with High Honors, and a Bachelor of Arts in Earth and Planetary Science and Creative Writing from the University of California, Berkeley.