Pilot-scale evaluation of forward osmosis membranes for volume reduction of industrial wastewater

Water treatment is a key aspect for the sustainable management of oil & gas operations. Osmotic concentration (OC) an advanced water process, adapted from forward osmosis (FO), that does not require recovery draw solution. In this study, two commercial hollow fiber FO membranes [Module 1, cellulose triacetate (CTA) and Module 2, thin film composite (TFC)] were evaluated at pilot scale using actual process obtained production facility. The evaluation focused on assessing membrane productivity, fouling potential chemical cleaning efficiency while normalizing performance theoretical model account variability operating conditions. Performance tests showed 2 has higher flux compared to 9.9 L/m2·h vs 1.7 L/m2·h; lower specific reverse solute (RSF) most ions. Additionally, 1 benchmark experiment 13% loss attributed inorganic (calcium phosphate precipitation) in was <5% possibly due enhanced module hydrodynamics variation chemistry. Chemical (citric acid) proved be successful restoring 1. From 8.1 mg/L organic carbon present feed, characterization revealed certain group hydrophilic organics are able pass through but translating 0.9 0.1 respectively. Finally, environmental considerations presented support further development implementation. OC strong full-scale installation; however, demonstrating its field would next step necessary implementation technology.