Organic-fouling inevitable, control achievable: Mitigation strategies in electro-driven membrane systems

Area of Science:

• Membrane Science and Technology
• Environmental Engineering
• Materials Science

Background:

• Organic fouling significantly limits the operational lifespan and efficiency of electro-driven membrane systems (EDMS).
• Over 60 types of organic foulants, including acids, surfactants, pharmaceuticals, proteins, polysaccharides, and polymers, have been identified as key contributors to fouling.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and evaluate existing knowledge on organic foulants in EDMS.
• To analyze foulant characteristics (molecular size, charge, cleanability) and their impact on fouling.
• To review and assess strategies for mitigating organic fouling in EDMS.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review and synthesis of scientific literature on organic foulants and EDMS.
• Classification and comparative analysis of foulants based on physicochemical properties.
• Evaluation of various anti-fouling and cleaning strategies.

Main Results:

• Low-molecular-weight and aromatic foulants cause deep, irreversible fouling.
• Macromolecular and colloidal organics form removable surface layers.
• Surface engineering and multilevel mitigation strategies (pretreatment, electrodialysis reversal, pulsing, cleaning design) are effective.

Conclusions:

• Organic fouling is an inherent challenge in EDMS but is controllable.
• Integrated material and process strategies are crucial for next-generation anti-fouling EDMS.
• "Organic-Fouling Inevitable, Control Achievable" is a viable principle for EDMS design.