Development and characterization of 3D-printed feed spacers for spiral wound membrane systems

Journal article (2016)

Authors

A Siddiqui King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
N Farhat King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
SS Bucs King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
R Valladares Linares King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
C. Picioreanu BT/Environmental Biotechnology - AS
JC Kruithof Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology
Mark M.C. van Loosdrecht BT/Environmental Biotechnology - AS
Mark C.M. van Loosdrecht BT/Environmental Biotechnology - AS
J Kidwell Conwed Plastics
J.S. Vrouwenvelder Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, BT/Environmental Biotechnology - AS
Research Group
BT/Environmental Biotechnology (AS) (TU Delft)
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Published Date

2016

Language

English

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Faculty

Applied Sciences

Department

BT/Biotechnologie

Research Group

BT/Environmental Biotechnology

Abstract

Feed spacers are important for the impact of biofouling on the performance of spiral-wound reverseosmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF) membrane systems.The objective of this study was to propose a strategy for developing, characterizing, and testing of feedspacers by numerical modeling, three-dimensional (3D) printing of feed spacers and experimentalmembrane fouling simulator (MFS) studies.The results of numerical modeling on the hydrodynamic behavior of various feed spacer geometriessuggested that the impact of spacers on hydrodynamics and biofouling can be improved. A goodagreement was found for the modeled and measured relationship between linearflow velocity andpressure drop for feed spacers with the same geometry, indicating that modeling can serve as thefirststep in spacer characterization.An experimental comparison study of a feed spacer currently applied in practice and a3D printed feedspacer with the same geometryshowed (i) similar hydrodynamic behavior, (ii) similar pressure dropdevelopment with time and (iii) similar biomass accumulation during MFS biofouling studies, indicatingthat 3D printing technology is an alternative strategy for development of thin feed spacers with acomplex geometry. Based on the numerical modeling results, a modified feed spacer with low pressuredrop was selected for 3D printing. The comparison study of the feed spacer from practice and themodified geometry 3D printed feed spacerestablished that the 3D printed spacer had (i) a lower pressuredrop during hydrodynamic testing, (ii) a lower pressure drop increase in time with the same accumu-lated biomass amount, indicating that modifying feed spacer geometries can reduce the impact ofaccumulated biomass on membrane performance.The combination of numerical modeling of feed spacers and experimental testing of 3D printed feedspacers is a promising strategy (rapid, low cost and representative) to develop advanced feed spacersaiming to reduce the impact of biofilm formation on membrane performance and to improve thecleanability of spiral-wound NF and RO membrane systems. The proposed strategy may also be suitableto develop spacers in e.g. forward osmosis (FO), reverse electrodialysis (RED), membrane distillation(MD), and electrodeionisation (EDI) membrane systems.

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