Fouling propensity in reverse electrodialysis operated with hypersaline brine

The impact of fouling on the performance Reverse Electrodialysis operated with highly concentrated brine is a poorly investigated area. In this work, propensity and stability Ion Exchange Membranes (IEMs), developed by Fujifilm Manufacturing Europe BV (The Netherlands), under condition seawater brine. IEMs was depicted determination Gibbs energy barrier based-on Classical Nucleation along Theoretical modeling heterogeneous nucleation as function electrochemical (contact angle, permittivity, charge density) morphological (roughness) membrane properties validated CaCO3 precipitation. Results indicate that Cation (CEM) are more susceptible to scaling due reduced nucleation. FTIR-ATR analysis six months-aged membranes samples indicated partial modification in chemical structure Anion (AEM) induced organic associated humic substances. tensile tests demonstrated substantial mechanical IEMs. Lab-scale RED artificial over 30 days showed significant increase pressure drop through feed channels colloidal 23% reduction maximum gross power density consequent decrease net density.