Non-destructive in situ fouling monitoring in membrane processes

Abstract

Fouling is considered the bottleneck of membrane systems. In this study, the fouling occuring in different membrane processes and configurations was studied by using Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). Fouling formation in membrane system was assessed and quantified non-invasively during operation. The use of the OCT enabled monitoring fouling evolution and correlating it to the membrane performance decline.