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Reverse Osmosis Membrane Cleaning Optimization from Textile Dyeing Wastewater Reuse Applications
Zhengwei Wang1,2, Rulu Ouyang1,3, Guorui Zhang4
1Department of Municipal Engineering, School of Civil Engineering and Transportation, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
Membranes
|January 27, 2026
Summary
Effective cleaning of reverse osmosis (RO) membranes fouled by textile wastewater involves alkaline forward flushing and pure water backwashing. This method recovers up to 96% of membrane permeability without impacting rejection capabilities, reducing costs.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Engineering
- Water Treatment Technologies
- Membrane Science
Background:
- Reverse osmosis (RO) is crucial for textile dyeing wastewater reuse.
- Membrane fouling significantly degrades RO performance and economic viability.
- Efficient membrane cleaning is essential for restoring permeability and functionality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the fouling potential of pre-treated textile dyeing wastewater on RO membranes.
- To systematically assess the effectiveness of various cleaning methods for fouled RO membranes.
- To optimize cleaning parameters for maximum permeability recovery and minimal impact on rejection.
Main Methods:
- Multi-batch filtration and cleaning experiments were conducted.
- RO membrane fouling was induced by pre-treated textile dyeing wastewater.
- Fouled membranes were cleaned using single and combined flushing/backwashing methods (pure water, acid, alkaline, sodium hypochlorite).
- Three-dimensional fluorescence excitation-emission matrix spectrometry (3D-FEEM) identified foulants.
- Permeability and rejection capabilities were measured before and after cleaning.
Main Results:
- A significant decline (>15%) in RO membrane permeability occurred after 625 L/m² of permeate production at 60% water recovery.
- Protein-like substances and soluble microbial products were identified as primary organic foulants.
- Single forward flushing showed limited recovery; combined acid and alkaline flushing restored 87% permeability.
- Optimized alkaline forward flushing followed by pure water backwashing (0.125 MPa TMP, 0.5 m/s CFV) recovered 96% permeability without affecting rejection.
- This optimized method offers potential cost reductions by eliminating acid cleaning.
Conclusions:
- Alkaline forward flushing combined with pure water backwashing is highly effective for restoring RO membrane permeability fouled by textile dyeing wastewater.
- Optimized backwashing parameters (0.125 MPa TMP, 0.5 m/s CFV) are critical for achieving high permeability recovery without compromising rejection.
- The developed cleaning strategy presents a cost-effective solution for textile wastewater reuse via RO.
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