Optimising Membrane Performance in High-Recovery Seawater Reverse Osmosis Systems to Reduce Biofouling Using Modelling and Simulation

The increasing demand for freshwater due to human activities underscores the need for alternative water sources. Desalination of seawater and water reclamation are reliable methods for producing potable water. Among desalination techniques, seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) is widely adopted due to its lower energy consumption compared to thermal desalination, smaller footprint, reduced waste generation, and consistent performance. Efficient pre-treatment is vital to ensure high-quality feed water and protect RO membranes, which are prone to fouling, scaling, and chemical damage. The HYDRAcapMAX80 ultrafiltration module offers high permeate flux and effectively removes total suspended solids and organic contaminants. A two-pass, two-stage SWRO system was developed, achieving a recovery rate of 45%, salt rejection of 99.1%, and energy consumption of 3.26 kWh/m³. Post-treatment yields permeate water that meets WHO standards, with TDS at 407 ppm, calcium at 6.4 ppm, sodium at 145 ppm, chloride at 204 ppm, fluoride at 0.39 ppm, and a pH of 7.2. System performance was tested under varying salinity and temperature conditions. Higher salinity and lower feedwater temperatures increased TDS and energy consumption, but maintained acceptable performance. This system demonstrates energy-efficient desalination while delivering high-quality drinking water.