Application of a smart dosing pump algorithm in identifying real-time optimum dose of antiscalant in reverse osmosis systems

The potential of membrane scaling control by a real-time optimization algorithm was investigated. effect antiscalant dosing evaluated from the induction time measured in glass batch-reactors, and operational performance lab-scale reverse osmosis (RO) unit two pilot-scale RO units. Step changes demonstrated that accumulation is ‘paused’ during periods when optimum dose applied. This paramount for application dynamic strategy may briefly underdose, while searching dose. It found underdose overdose were both detrimental to operation since resulted scaling, led fouling due calcium-antiscalant deposits. used minimize consumption pilot able lower doses 0.2 mg/L 0.6 mg/L, supplier's recommended 2.0 4.5 respectively. As result, could reduce up 85–90% plants mentioned. • Antiscalant can lead flux decline RO. Antiscalants inhibit further where membranes already scaled. determines scaling. Optimization reduced