Structural effects of chloraminated seawater on the SW30HR reverse osmosis membrane

There is a need for a more comprehensive understanding of how disinfectants, applied to control biofouling of reverse osmosis (RO) membranes, react with the polymeric active layer and affect membrane performance as a result. This work investigates structural and performance changes to the SW30HR RO membrane exposed to seawater disinfected with monochloramine. Batch experiments with RO membranes were conducted to determine the effect of secondary oxidizing agents formed from the reactions of monochloramine with bromide and iodide on membrane structure. Membrane coupons were exposed to varying concentrations of monochloramine (2, 20 and 200 mg/L as Cl2) in synthetic seawater containing proportional levels of bromide (65, 650 and 6,500 mg/L) and iodide (0.06, 0.6 and 6 mg/L) and various contact times to achieve target exposures. Batch experiments also exposed membranes to real seawater treated with monochloramine (2 mg/L as Cl2) for 68 days. Rutherford back-scattering spectrometry (RBS) and ATR-FTIR analyses revealed structural changes corresponding to transformations of reverse osmosis membrane polymers including halogenation of the polyamide active layer and polysulfone support near the interface with the active layer.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Environ Engr in Civil Engr

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2013

Author dc:creator

• Valentino, Lauren

Contributors dc:contributor

• Mariñas, Benito J.

• desalination
• monochloramine
• polyamide halogenation
• polysulfone support halogenation
• reverse osmosis membrane

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2013 Lauren Valentino

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/44784

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/44784