{"title":"Application of mathematical models to predict permeate water quality in pilot- and full-scale reverse osmosis processes","authors":"Christopher R. Hagglund, Steven J. Duranceau","doi":"10.1016/j.jwpe.2025.108167","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>An evaluation that investigated the accuracy and precision of various mathematical models in predicting permeate water quality for pilot- and full-scale reverse osmosis (RO) membrane processes treating brackish ground water containing scale inhibitors has been completed. Process feed, permeate and concentrate were monitored for flow, pressure, and water quality at operating pilot- and full-scale facilities that employed polyamide-based thin-film composite spiral-wound element configurations. The collected information was used to predict water and solute mass transfer using common porous and non-porous mechanistic-based mathematical models. Overall, this study demonstrated the application of 27 models (or model modifications) for predicting the permeate water quality of pilot- and full-scale RO processes using operation information taken directly from utilities' SCADA output data. The solution friction model was observed to be the most accurate in predicting permeate TDS and chloride, partially attributed to its' accurate estimation of the water mass transfer coefficient (MTC) and supported by <em>t</em>-test and Monte Carlo analysis. The solution diffusion method of determining k<sub>w-SD</sub>, which used the water flux and net driving pressure, was further refined with power and exponential functions to account for performance decline. These functions were generally accurate in predicting the observed water MTC; however, the k<sub>w-SD</sub> approach proved to be more reliable. The solute mass transfer coefficients were determined experimentally and empirically using the Sherwood number correlation. The constants used for Sherwood number correlations under laminar or turbulent flow conditions typically failed to accurately predict actual solute mass transfer values unless a model-fitting approach was used.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17528,"journal":{"name":"Journal of water process engineering","volume":"76 ","pages":"Article 108167"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3000,"publicationDate":"2025-06-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of water process engineering","FirstCategoryId":"5","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214714425012395","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"ENGINEERING, CHEMICAL","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
An evaluation that investigated the accuracy and precision of various mathematical models in predicting permeate water quality for pilot- and full-scale reverse osmosis (RO) membrane processes treating brackish ground water containing scale inhibitors has been completed. Process feed, permeate and concentrate were monitored for flow, pressure, and water quality at operating pilot- and full-scale facilities that employed polyamide-based thin-film composite spiral-wound element configurations. The collected information was used to predict water and solute mass transfer using common porous and non-porous mechanistic-based mathematical models. Overall, this study demonstrated the application of 27 models (or model modifications) for predicting the permeate water quality of pilot- and full-scale RO processes using operation information taken directly from utilities' SCADA output data. The solution friction model was observed to be the most accurate in predicting permeate TDS and chloride, partially attributed to its' accurate estimation of the water mass transfer coefficient (MTC) and supported by t-test and Monte Carlo analysis. The solution diffusion method of determining kw-SD, which used the water flux and net driving pressure, was further refined with power and exponential functions to account for performance decline. These functions were generally accurate in predicting the observed water MTC; however, the kw-SD approach proved to be more reliable. The solute mass transfer coefficients were determined experimentally and empirically using the Sherwood number correlation. The constants used for Sherwood number correlations under laminar or turbulent flow conditions typically failed to accurately predict actual solute mass transfer values unless a model-fitting approach was used.
期刊介绍:
The Journal of Water Process Engineering aims to publish refereed, high-quality research papers with significant novelty and impact in all areas of the engineering of water and wastewater processing . Papers on advanced and novel treatment processes and technologies are particularly welcome. The Journal considers papers in areas such as nanotechnology and biotechnology applications in water, novel oxidation and separation processes, membrane processes (except those for desalination) , catalytic processes for the removal of water contaminants, sustainable processes, water reuse and recycling, water use and wastewater minimization, integrated/hybrid technology, process modeling of water treatment and novel treatment processes. Submissions on the subject of adsorbents, including standard measurements of adsorption kinetics and equilibrium will only be considered if there is a genuine case for novelty and contribution, for example highly novel, sustainable adsorbents and their use: papers on activated carbon-type materials derived from natural matter, or surfactant-modified clays and related minerals, would not fulfil this criterion. The Journal particularly welcomes contributions involving environmentally, economically and socially sustainable technology for water treatment, including those which are energy-efficient, with minimal or no chemical consumption, and capable of water recycling and reuse that minimizes the direct disposal of wastewater to the aquatic environment. Papers that describe novel ideas for solving issues related to water quality and availability are also welcome, as are those that show the transfer of techniques from other disciplines. The Journal will consider papers dealing with processes for various water matrices including drinking water (except desalination), domestic, urban and industrial wastewaters, in addition to their residues. It is expected that the journal will be of particular relevance to chemical and process engineers working in the field. The Journal welcomes Full Text papers, Short Communications, State-of-the-Art Reviews and Letters to Editors and Case Studies