The study of membrane biofouling has increased strongly in the past four years, compared to the previous twenty two years, indicated by the more than doubling of the number of scientific papers. However, no single source gives an updated overview of biofouling. Biofouling of Spiral Wound Membrane Systems gives a complete and comprehensive overview of all aspects of biofouling, bridging the gap between microbiology, hydraulics and membrane technology. High quality drinking water can be produced with membrane filtration processes like reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF). As the global demand for fresh clean water is increasing, these membrane technologies are increasingly important. One of the most serious problems in RO/NF applications is biofouling – excessive growth of biomass – affecting the performance of the RO/NF systems. This can be due to the increase in pressure drop across membrane elements (feed-concentrate channel), the decrease in membrane permeability or the increase in salt passage. These phenomena result in the need to increase the feed pressure to maintain constant production and to clean the membrane elements chemically. Biofouling of Spiral Wound Membrane Systems relates biomass accumulation in spiral wound RO and NF membrane elements with membrane performance and hydrodynamics and determines parameters influencing biofouling. It focuses on the development of biomass in the feed-concentrate (feed-spacer) channel and its effect on pressure drop and flow distribution. It can be used to develop an integral strategy to control biofouling in spiral wound membrane systems. Most past and present methods to control biofouling have not been very successful. An overview of several potential complementary approaches to solve biofouling is given and an integrated approach for biofouling control is proposed.

Because of the uneven distribution of fresh water in time and space and the increasing human population, a large number of regions are experiencing water scarcity and stress. Membrane-based desalination technologies like reverse osmosis have the potential to solve the fresh water crisis in coastal areas. However, in many cases membrane performance is restricted by biofouling. Biofouling of Membrane Systems gives a comprehensive overview on the state of the art strategies to control biofouling in spiral wound reverse osmosis membrane systems and point to possible future research directions. Despite the fact that much research and development has been done to overcome biofouling in spiral wound membrane systems used for water treatment, biofouling is still a major practical problem causing performance decline and increased energy demand. Biofouling of Membrane Systems is divided into three sections including modelling and numerical analysis, non-destructive characterization and feed spacer geometry optimization. It focuses on the development of biomass in the feed channel of the membrane module and its effect on pressure drop and hydrodynamics. This book can be used to develop an integral strategy to control biofouling in spiral wound membrane systems. An overview of several potential complementary approaches to solve biofouling is given and an integrated approach for biofouling control and feed spacer design is proposed.

Microbial growth and contamination ("Biofouling") in water systems represents a significant threat to the quality of waters produced for the microelectronic, pharmaceutical, petroleum, paper, food and other manufacturing industries. Biofouling can lead to biologically induced corrosion ("Biocorrosion"), which can cause severe damage to the equipment. Both biofouling and biocorrosion are frequently not recognized in time, underestimated, or linked with the wrong causes. The book represents a new approach by introducing biofilm properties and dynamics as basic principles of biofouling and biocorrosion, thus providing a better understanding and the means of fighting the undesired effects of biofilms. The most important features are: Case histories of biofouling in water treatment.- Detection and monitoring of biofouling.- Reverse osmosis membrane biofouling.- Biocide efficacy and biofouling control.- Plant design considerations for preventing biofouling.- Case histories of biocorrosion.- Detection, monitoring, control and prevention of biocorrosion.- Fundamentals of biofouling and biocorrosion mechanisms.

This text provides an overview of the developments since 1986 in the control of biofouling and reduction of the costs incurred by biofouling organisms. Topics covered include: microfouling; macrofouling; and the performance of antifouling coatings.

In the present book, various applications of microfluidics and nanofluidics are introduced. Microfluidics and nanofluidics span a broad array of disciplines including mechanical, materials, and electrical engineering, surface science, chemistry, physics and biology. Also, this book deals with transport and interactions of colloidal particles and biomolecules in microchannels, which have great importance to many microfluidic applications, such as drug delivery in life science, microchannel heat exchangers in electronic cooling, and food processing industry. Furthermore, this book focuses on a detailed description of the thermal transport behavior, challenges and implications that involve the development and use of HTFs under the influence of atomistic-scale structures and industrial applications.

This ready reference on Membrane Technologies for Water Treatment, is an invaluable source detailing sustainable, emerging processes, to provide clean, energy saving and cost effective alternatives to conventional processes. The editors are internationally renowned leaders in the field, who have put together a first-class team of authors from academia and industry to present a highly approach to the subject. The book is an instrumental tool for Process Engineers, Chemical Engineers, Process Control Technicians, Water Chemists, Environmental Chemists, Materials Scientists and Patent Lawyers.

A state-of-the-art review of biofilm science and technology, incorporating approaches from microbiology, physical chemistry, environmental engineering and chemical engineering. The book describes the physical and chemical properties of biofilms and the processes by which they accumulate.

This book encompasses the most updated and recent account of research and implementation of Microbial Electrochemical Technologies (METs) from pioneers and experienced researchers in the field who have been working on the interface between electrochemistry and microbiology/biotechnology for many years. It provides a holistic view of the METs, detailing the functional mechanisms, operational configurations, influencing factors governing the reaction process and integration strategies. The book not only provides historical perspectives of the technology and its evolution over the years but also the most recent examples of up-scaling and near future commercialization, making it a must-read for researchers, students, industry practitioners and science enthusiasts. Key Features: Introduces novel technologies that can impact the future infrastructure at the water-energy nexus. Outlines methodologies development and application of microbial electrochemical technologies and details out the illustrations of microbial and electrochemical concepts. Reviews applications across a wide variety of scales, from power generation in the laboratory to approaches. Discusses techniques such as molecular biology and mathematical modeling; the future development of this promising technology; and the role of the system components for the implementation of bioelectrochemical technologies for practical utility. Explores key challenges for implementing these systems and compares them to similar renewable energy technologies, including their efficiency, scalability, system lifetimes, and reliability.

Advances in Membrane Technologies for Water Treatment: Materials, Processes and Applications provides a detailed overview of advanced water treatment methods involving membranes, which are increasingly seen as effective replacements for a range of conventional water treatment methods. The text begins with reviews of novel membrane materials and advances in membrane operations, then examines the processes involved with improving membrane performance. Final chapters cover the application of membrane technologies for use in water treatment, with detailed discussions on municipal wastewater and reuse in the textile and paper industries. - Provides a detailed overview of advanced water treatment methods involving membranes - Coverage includes advancements in membrane materials, improvement in membrane performance, and their applications in water treatment - Discusses the use of membrane technologies in the production of drinking water, desalination, wastewater treatment, and recovery

The book Modeling in Membranes and Membrane-Based Processes is based on the idea of developing a reference which will cover most relevant and “state-of-the-art” approaches in membrane modeling. This book explores almost every major aspect of modeling and the techniques applied in membrane separation studies and applications. This includes first principle-based models, thermodynamics models, computational fluid dynamics simulations, molecular dynamics simulations, and artificial intelligence-based modeling for membrane separation processes. These models have been discussed in light of various applications ranging from desalination to gas separation. In addition, this breakthrough new volume covers the fundamentals of polymer membrane pore formation mechanisms, covering not only a wide range of modeling techniques, but also has various facets of membrane-based applications. Thus, this book can be an excellent source for a holistic perspective on membranes in general, as well as a comprehensive and valuable reference work. Whether a veteran engineer in the field or lab or a student in chemical or process engineering, this latest volume in the “Advances in Membrane Processes” is a must-have, along with the first book in the series, Membrane Processes, also available from Wiley-Scrivener.