METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING BIOFOULING OF A MEMBRANE

摘要

A method of determining a state of biofouling of a membrane is provided. The membrane is contained within a flow cell and the flow cell has an outer surface coupled to a tranducer, The method comprises introducing inorganic particles into the flow cell such that the inorganic particles form a part of a top surface of a foulant layer on the membrane. The transducer then emits acoustic waves towards the membrane and an acoustic signature of reflected sound waves are detected. A state of biofouling of the membrane is determined based on the detected acoustic signature. A method and an apparatus are also provided for determining a state of biofouling in commercial membrane modules such as spiral wounded membrane modules.

主权项

1. A method of determining a state of biofouling of a membrane contained within a flow cell, the flow cell having at least an outer surface coupled to one or more acoustic tranducers, the method comprising the following steps:
introducing inorganic particles into the flow cell such that the inorganic particles form at least a part of a top surface of a foulant layer on the membrane; emitting acoustic waves towards the membrane using the one or more tranducers, detecting an acoustic signature of reflected sound waves, the acoustic signature comprising a profile of reflected sound waves from the top surface and a profile of reflected waves from the membrane; and determining, based on the detected acoustic signature, a state of biofouling of the membrane.