Investigation of spatial heterogeneity in reverse osmosis membrane fouling during long-term operation of reclaimed water treatment

LIU Jin; LI Yawen; LI Jiayang; ZHOU Yifan; CHEN Chen; MA Liyuan; SHANG Xingying

doi:10.13205/j.hjgc.202604011

Volume 44 Issue 4

Apr. 2026

Turn off MathJax

Article Contents

Article Navigation > ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING > 2026 > 44(4): 101-109

LIU Jin, LI Yawen, LI Jiayang, ZHOU Yifan, CHEN Chen, MA Liyuan, SHANG Xingying. Investigation of spatial heterogeneity in reverse osmosis membrane fouling during long-term operation of reclaimed water treatment[J]. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING , 2026, 44(4): 101-109. doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202604011

Citation:

LIU Jin, LI Yawen, LI Jiayang, ZHOU Yifan, CHEN Chen, MA Liyuan, SHANG Xingying. Investigation of spatial heterogeneity in reverse osmosis membrane fouling during long-term operation of reclaimed water treatment[J]. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING , 2026, 44(4): 101-109. doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202604011

Citation:

LIU Jin, LI Yawen, LI Jiayang, ZHOU Yifan, CHEN Chen, MA Liyuan, SHANG Xingying. Investigation of spatial heterogeneity in reverse osmosis membrane fouling during long-term operation of reclaimed water treatment[J]. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING , 2026, 44(4): 101-109. doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202604011

PDF( 1601 KB)

Investigation of spatial heterogeneity in reverse osmosis membrane fouling during long-term operation of reclaimed water treatment

doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202604011

1. Tianjin TEDA New-Water Resource Technologies Co., Ltd., Tianjin 300457, China;
2. College of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China;
3. Tianjin Dongli District Agricultural and Rural Development Service Center, Tianjin 300300, China

Received Date: 2025-07-01
Available Online: 2026-06-06
Publish Date: 2026-04-01

Abstract

Abstract

With the increasingly severe global water scarcity， the utilization of reclaimed water has become an effective strategy to ensure water supply. Reverse osmosis （RO） technology is crucial for reclaimed water production， but membrane fouling severely constrains its efficiency. To address the spatial heterogeneity of RO membrane fouling after long-term operation in dual-membrane reclaimed water treatment processes， this study employs multi-dimensional characterization techniques to reveal fouling characteristics and microbial community differences at the inlet （RO1） and outlet （RO2） ends of RO membranes after 3.5 years of operation. Long-term monitoring shows that the microfiltration-reverse osmosis （MF-RO） coupled process stabilizes effluent turbidity below 0.1 NTU and conductivity under 400 μS/cm. However， the RO system's inlet pressure exhibits significant seasonal fluctuations （15%~22% amplitude in summer and winter）， which may be closely correlated to water viscosity changes induced by temperature variations. Simultaneously， while membrane surface fouling is predominantly characterized by calcium sulfate crystallization and rod-shaped microbial symbiotic structures， significant spatial heterogeneity exists in biofouling. The inlet end （RO1） features dense bio-inorganic composite fouling dominated by Proteobacteria （77.11%）， particularly Alphaproteobacteria （71.49%） and Microbacteriaceae. In contrast， the outlet end （RO2） shows reduced microbial abundance and altered community structure， likely driven by salinity gradients along the flow direction. This study elucidates the spatial heterogeneity of microbial fouling and community dynamics in long-term RO operation， providing critical theoretical and practical insights for optimizing RO management and developing targeted antifouling strategies in reclaimed water plants.
- reclaimed water,
- reverse osmosis membrane,
- biofouling,
- microbial community,
- spatial heterogeneity

FullText(HTML)

References(45)

References

[1]	CULP T E，KHAR B，BRICKEY K P，et al. Nanoscale control of internal inhomogeneity enhances water transport in desalination membranes［J］. Science，2021，371：72- 75.
[2]	ASHFAQ M Y，AL-GHOUTI M A，QIBLAWEY H，et al. Isolation，identification and biodiversity of antiscalant degrading seawater bacteria using MALDI-TOF-MS and multivariate analysis［J］. Science of the Total Environment，2019，656：910- 920.
[3]	VIL-TOJO S，SABUCEDO J M，ANDRADE E，et al. From scarcity problem diagnosis to recycled water acceptance：a perceptive-axiological model（PAM）of low and high contact uses［J］. Water Research，2022，217：118380.
[4]	MELLITI E，VAN DER BRUGGEN B，ELFIL H. Chemical inhibition of combined gypsum and iron oxides membrane fouling during reverse osmosis desalination process:prevention and regeneration of membranes［J］. Desalination，2023，551：116414.
[5]	LIU H P，LIU C，ZHANG C H. Grape seed oligomeric proanthocyanidins-assembled membranes with a highly negatively charged surface for high-performance nanofiltration［J］. Chemical Engineering Journal，2022，441：136113.
[6]	MAHLANGU O T，NTHUNYA L N，MOTSA M M，et al. Fouling of high pressure-driven NF and RO membranes in desalination processes:mechanisms and implications on salt rejection［J］. Chemical Engineering Research and Design，2023，199：268- 295.
[7]	DAI R B，YANG Z，QIU Z W，et al. Distinct impact of substrate hydrophilicity on performance and structure of TFC，NF and RO polyamide membranes［J］. Journal of Membrane Science，2022，662：120966.
[8]	AL-GHOUTI M A，AL-KAABI M A，ASHFAQ M Y，et al. Produced water characteristics，treatment and reuse：a review［J］. Journal of Water Process Engineering，2019，28：222- 239.
[9]	LIU J，ZENG X Y，SONG J，et al. Cause analysis of reverse osmosis membrane fouling in drainage water reuse［J］. Chemical Engineering（China），2022，50（6）：6- 11. 刘静，曾兴宇，宋杰，等. 疏干水回用反渗透膜元件污染成因分析［J］. 化学工程，2022，50（6）：6- 11.
[10]	WANG J H. Analysis and control measures of RO membrane fouling in dual-membrane systems［J］. Green and Low-Carbon Petrochemicals（China），2020，5（4）：47- 51. 王君翰. 双膜装置 RO 反渗透膜污染分析及控制措施［J］. 石油石化绿色低碳，2020，5（4）：47- 51.
[11]	YANG Q H，ZHANG J J，ZHANG N，et al. Impact of nanoplastics on membrane scaling and fouling in reverse osmosis desalination process［J］. Water Research，2024，249：120945.
[12]	UNAL B O. Membrane autopsy study to characterize fouling type of RO membrane used in an industrial zone wastewater reuse plant［J］. Desalination，2022，529：115648.
[13]	DE VRIES H J，STAMS A J M，PLUGGE C M. Biodiversity and ecology of microorganisms in high pressure membrane filtration systems［J］. Water Research，2020，172：115511.
[14]	FLEMMING H C. Biofouling and me：my Stockholm syndrome with biofilms［J］. npj Clean Water，2016，1：16001.
[15]	ZHANG Z X，WEI Y，ZHANG H Y，et al. Effects of different biofouling control conditions on RO membrane fouling mitigation［J］. China Water& Wastewater，2019，35（23）：96- 99. 张子潇，魏屹，张宏宇，等. 不同生物污染控制条件下对反渗透污染的控制效果［J］. 中国给水排水，2019，35（23）：96- 99.
[16]	SUN H，YU T，YIN H S，et al. Research advances in monitoring and control strategies for reverse osmosis membrane biofouling［J］. Environmental Engineering，2021，39（7）：62- 72. 孙浩，于童，殷豪帅，等. 反渗透膜生物污堵监测及其控制的研究进展［J］. 环境工程，2021，39（7）：62- 72.
[17]	HOEK E M V，WEIGAND T M，EDALAT A. Reverse osmosis membrane biofouling：causes，consequences and countermeasures［J］. npj Clean Water，2022，5（1）：45.
[18]	GAO Y J，WANG H B，WANG R N，et al. Priority bacteria causing biofouling of reverse osmosis membranes:potential disinfection-resistant bacteria and control strategies［J］. Desalination，2024，579：117484.
[19]	WANG Y H，WU Y H，TONG X，et al. Chlorine disinfection significantly aggravated the biofouling of reverse osmosis membrane used for municipal wastewater reclamation［J］. Water Research，2019，154：246- 257.
[20]	CHEN G Q，WU Y H，FANG P S，et al. Performance of different pretreatment methods on alleviating reverse osmosis membrane fouling caused by soluble microbial products［J］. Journal of Membrane Science，2022，641：119850.
[21]	ZHAO S F，LIAO Z P，FANE A，et al. Engineering antifouling reverse osmosis membranes:a review［J］. Desalination，2021，499：114857.
[22]	JAFARI M，D'HAESE A，ZLOPASA J，et al. A comparison between chemical cleaning efficiency in lab-scale and full-scale reverse osmosis membranes:role of extracellular polymeric substances（EPS）［J］. Journal of Membrane Science，2020，609：118189.
[23]	CHANG Y S，OOI B S，AHMAD A L，et al. Vacuum membrane distillation for desalination：scaling phenomena of brackish water at elevated temperature［J］. Separation and Purification Technology，2021，254：117572.
[24]	ODABASI C，DOLOGLU P，GULMEZ F，et al. Investigation of the factors affecting reverse osmosis membrane performance using machine-learning techniques［J］. Computers& Chemical Engineering，2022，159：107669.
[25]	DIMITRIOU E，CAMACHO-ESPINO J，ANASTASIOU A，et al. Experimental investigation of the performance of a seawater reverse osmosis desalination system operating under variable feed flowrate pressure and temperature conditions［J］. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering，2025，13（2）：115778.
[26]	FORTUNATO L，ELCIK H，BLANKERT B，et al. Textile dye wastewater treatment by direct contact membrane distillation：membrane performance and detailed fouling analysis［J］. Journal of Membrane Science，2021，636：119552.
[27]	Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People's Republic of China. Water quality-determination of ph-electrode method：HJ 1147—2020［S］. Beijing：China Environmental Science Press，2020. 生态环境部. 水质 pH 值的测定电极法：HJ 1147—2020［S］. 北京：中国环境科学出版社，2020.
[28]	LI Z H，NI G W，WANG J L，et al. Fouling characteristic of reverse osmosis membrane for reclaimed water treatment operating under cold winter condition［J］. Desalination，2023，549：116309.
[29]	Ministry of Environmental Protection of the People's Republic of China. Water quality-determination of the chemical oxygen demand-dichromate method：HJ 828—2017［S］. Beijing：China Environmental Science Press，2017. 环境保护部. 水质化学需氧量的测定重铬酸盐法：HJ 828—2017［S］. 北京：中国环境科学出版社，2017.
[30]	Department of Science，Technology and Standards，Ministry of Environmental Protection of the People's Republic of China. Water quality-determination of ammonia nitrogen-nessler's reagent spectrophotometry：HJ 535—2009［S］. Beijing：China Environmental Science Press，2010. 环境保护部科技标准司. 水质氨氮的测定纳氏试剂分光光度法：HJ 535—2009［S］. 北京：中国环境科学出版社，2010.
[31]	National Environmental Protection Agency of the People's Republic of China. Water quality-determination of total phosphorus-ammonium molybdate spectrophotometric method：GB/T 11893—1989［S］. Beijing：China Environmental Science Press，1989. 国家环境保护局. 水质总磷的测定钼酸铵分光光度法：GB/T 11893—1989［S］. 北京：中国环境出版社，1989.
[32]	National Environmental Protection Agency of the People's Republic of China. Water quality-determination of suspended solids-gravimetric method：GB/T 11901—1989［S］. Beijing：China Standards Press，1989. 国家环境保护局. 水质悬浮物的测定重量法：GB/T 11901—1989［S］. 北京：中国标准出版社，1989.
[33]	WU Y H，WANG Q，TONG X，et al. Assessment methods and indicator systems for evaluating membrane fouling potential in feed water of RO systems for wastewater reclamation［J］. Environmental Engineering（China），2020，38（3）：51- 57. 巫寅虎，王琦，童心，等. 污水再生处理反渗透系统进水膜污堵潜势评价方法及指标体系［J］. 环境工程，2020，38（3）：51- 57.
[34]	ABDEL-KARIM A，LEAPER S，SKUSE C，et al. Membrane cleaning and pretreatments in membrane distillation-a review［J］. Chemical Engineering Journal，2021，422：129696.
[35]	MATIN A，LAOUI T，FALATH W，et al. Fouling control in reverse osmosis for water desalination& reuse：current practices& emerging environment-friendly technologies［J］. Science of the Total Environment，2021，765：142721.
[36]	LI Y F，LI M C，XIAO K，et al. Reverse osmosis membrane autopsy in coal chemical wastewater treatment：evidences of spatially heterogeneous fouling and organic-inorganic synergistic effect［J］. Journal of Cleaner Production，2020，246：118964.
[37]	LI L，WANG X H，XIE M，et al. EDTA-based adsorption layer for mitigating FO membrane fouling via in situ removing calcium binding with organic foulants［J］. Journal of Membrane Science，2019，578：95- 102.
[38]	CHEN C，YANG Y，GRAHAM N J D，et al. A comprehensive evaluation of the temporal and spatial fouling characteristics of RO membranes in a full-scale seawater desalination plant［J］. Water Research，2024，249：120914.
[39]	CHEN L，WANG Y C，CHEN Z Y，et al. The fouling layer development on MD membrane for water treatments:an especial focus on the biofouling progress［J］. Chemosphere，2021，264（2）：128458.
[40]	VITZILAIOU E，STOICA I M，KNOCHEL S. Microbial biofilm communities on Reverse Osmosis membranes in whey water processing before and after cleaning［J］. Journal of Membrane Science，2019，587：117174.
[41]	POULAEN J S，KOREN K，MEYER R L，et al. Biofilms on RO membranes treating tap water harbour diverse bacteria with opposing salinity optima［J］. Desalination，2024，592：118106.
[42]	PAVER S F，MURATORE D，NEWTON R J，et al. Reevaluating the salty divide：phylogenetic specificity of transitions between marine and freshwater systems［J］. Msystems，2018，3（6）：1110- 1128.
[43]	LI Z H，WANG J L，CHENG L H，et al. Alleviation of RO membrane fouling in wastewater reclamation plants using an enhanced acid-base chemical cleaning method［J］. Water Research，2024，261：122039.
[44]	SOUSI M，LIU G，SALINAS-RODRIGUEZ S G，et al. Multi-parametric assessment of biological stability of drinking water produced from groundwater：reverse osmosis vs. conventional treatment［J］. Water Research，2020，186：116317.
[45]	LI H B，GUO Y Q，LIU C，et al. Microbial deposition and growth on polyamide reverse osmosis membrane surfaces:mechanisms，impacts，and potential cures［J］. Desalination，2023，548：116301.