Osmotic backwashing of forward osmosis membranes to detach adhered bacteria and mitigate biofouling

The efficiency of osmotic backwashing cleaning to remove bacteria from forward osmosis membranes was systematically studied for the first time under different attachment and conditions. It is hypothesized that biofouling preventable when tackling initial adhesion, i.e. during reversible stage. Cell removal membrane dependent on both adhesion conditions: tests were performed solutions concentrations salt type, as well filtration durations Ca2+ in feed solution. Following P. putida, a draw solution (DSobw) 3 M NaCl most efficient, removing 93% adhered cells after 1 min backwashing. All left dead/injured due shock. To optimise regime, maximum which efficient must be determined. This determined 30 min, became inefficient, only 78% cells. addition 5 mM caused 50% increase cell surface coverage compared without Ca2+. rendered 60%. by increasing flux, DSobw with CaCl2 used. However, this inefficient interactions between cells, even just min: 55.8 L h−1m−2 39% obtained 36 flux. Therefore, conditions are important FO membranes.