Decreasing Silica Scaling on Reverse Osmosis Membranes by Different Methods in Different Circumstances

Abstract:

Reverse osmosis (RO), the main technique for desalination, is affected by the quality of the water source. Natural water contains silica, which comes from metal silicates found in the earth's crust. Silica fouling is complicated to manage and often leads to less efficient designs of RO systems for safe operation. This research evaluates the current technologies for treating silica in RO desalination. The pilot project showed considerable water savings, achieving maximum recovery over the longest duration. To enhance water conservation, it is essential to optimize permeate recovery. Water savings were constrained due to silica scaling on the membranes. The chosen membranes can achieve a lower total dissolved solids (TDS) rejection than was required in the initial research, which could enhance water conservation. The additional energy needed for membrane treatment was balanced out by the savings in water costs. To avoid scaling, an antiscalant chemical along with a dosing system was installed next to the membrane system, and this study focused on three methods to mitigate silica scaling: Amonium Bifloride (ABF), a cation ion exchange column (IEX) containing Amberlite-IRC747 (Dupont) resins to eliminate multivalent cations like Ca2+, Mg2+, and Fe3+. Lastly, a simulated anti-scaling test was conducted using a feed solution that was pretreated by MIL-101(Fe) adsorption. Each type of antiscalant suitable for decreasing silica from water possesses distinct characteristics such as pH and other cations. Keywords:, Water conservation, Silica , Anti-Scalant, Amonium Bifloride (ABF), Exchange column (IEX) filled with Amberlite-IRC747 (Dupont), MIL-101(Fe).

• Periodical: Construction Technologies and Architecture (Volume 20)
• Pages: 55-64
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/p-jNYA4U
• Online since: August 2025
• Authors: Khalid Naguib*, Sherien M. Ahmed
• Keywords: Amonium Bifloride (ABF), Dupont, Exchange (IEX), MIL-101(Fe), Silica

References

[1] Matson J, Harris, T (1979) Zero Discharge of Cooling Water by Side stream Softening. Water Pollution Control Federation 51: 2602–2614.

[2] Cutler DS, DeanJ D, Daw JA, et al. (2019) Alternative Water Treatment Technologies for Cooling Tower Applications (No. NREL/TP-7A40-71845). National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States).

DOI: 10.2172/1219499

[3] Jones R(1991) Waste water purification system.Wastewater Resources Inc, USA.

[4] NRC (2008) Desalination A National Perspective. The National Academies Press, Washington D. C, United States.

[5] Kumar P, Gupta P, Kumar S (2022) Comparing energy nexus efficiency of Energy Recovery Inc (ERI) over turbo pumps for cost saving of 12.6 MLD SWRO based desalination plant. Energy Nexus 5: 100015

DOI: 10.1016/j.nexus.2021.100015

[6] Walton B (2010) The Price of Water: A Comparison of Water Rates. Usage in 30 U.S. Cities in, Circle of Blue.

[7] Tan, M.; Fang, L.; Zhang, B.; Zhao, Y.; Meng, X.; Li, F. Synergistic inhibition effect and mechanism of polycation and polyanion on colloidal silica. Colloids Surf. A-Physicochem. Eng. Asp. 2021, 610, 125701.

DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2020.125701

[8] Rolf, J.; Cao, T.; Huang, X.; Boo, C.; Li, Q.; Elimelech, M. Inorganic Scaling in Membrane Desalination: Models, Mechanisms, and Characterization Methods. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2022, 56, 7484–7511.

DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c01858

[9] Bush, J.A.; Vanneste, J.; Cath, T.Y. Comparison of membrane distillation and high-temperature nanofiltration processes for treatment of silica-saturated water. J. Membr. Sci. 2019, 570, 258–269.

DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2018.10.034

[10] Jiang, A.; Wang, H.; Lin, Y.; Cheng, W.; Wang, J. A study on optimal schedule of membrane cleaning and replacement for spiral-wound SWRO system. Desalination 2017, 404, 259–269.

DOI: 10.1016/j.desal.2016.11.025

[11] Antony, A.; Low, J.H.; Gray, S.; Childress, A.E.; Le-Clech, P.; Leslie, G. Scale formation and control in high pressure membrane water treatment systems: A review. J. Membr. Sci. 2011, 383, 1–16.

DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2011.08.054

[12] Sheikholeslami R, Tan S. Effects of water quality on silica fouling of desalination plants. Desalination 1999; 126:267-280.

DOI: 10.1016/s0011-9164(99)00182-4

[13] Koo T, Lee Y, Sheikholeslami R. Silica fouling and cleaning of reverse osmosis membranes. Desalination 2001;139: 43-56.

DOI: 10.1016/s0011-9164(01)00293-4

[14] Alexander GB, W Heston, RK Iler. The solubility of amorphous silica in water. J. Phys. Chem. 1954; 58: 453-455.

DOI: 10.1021/j150516a002

[15] Chan S. A review on solubility and polymerization of silica.Geothermics 1989;18:49-56. .

[16] Tong T, Zhao S, Boo C, Hashmi SM, Elimelech M. Relating ilica scaling in reverse osmosis to membrane surface properties. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2017;51:4396-4406. .

DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.6b06411

[17] Gabelich CJ, Chen WR, Yun TI, Coffey BM. The role of dissolved aluminum in silica chemistry for membrane processes. Desalination 2005;180:307-319.

DOI: 10.1016/j.desal.2005.02.009

[18] Zhao, X.L.; Zhao, J.; Sun, Y.Y.; Ouyang, H.; Chen, N.; Ren, J.; Li, Y.; Chen, S.; Yang, D.J.; Xing, B.S. Selenite capture by MIL-101(Fe) through Fe-O-Se bonds at free coordination Fe sites. J. Hazard. Mater. 2022, 424, 127715.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127715

[19] Wang, D.B.; Jia, F.Y.; Wang, H.; Chen, F.; Fang, Y.; Dong, W.B.; Zeng, G.M.; Li, X.M.; Yang, Q.; Yuan, X.Z. Simultaneously efficient adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline by Fe-based MOFs. J. Colloid Interface Sci. 2018, 519, 273–284.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2018.02.067

[20] https://doi.org/10.4491/eer.2019.353

DOI: 10.4491/eer.2019.353