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. 2019 Aug 30;9(9):111. doi: 10.3390/membranes9090111

Table 20.

Summary of the salient advantages and limitations of currently employed, conventional biofouling control techniques for polyamide membrane systems.

Class Advantages Limitations
Oxidizers
Chlorine

  1. Easy to use

  2. Good bio control

  3. Carries residual disinfectant

  1. Polyamide degradation

  2. DBP formation
Chloramine

  1. Carries residual disinfectant

  2. Lingers in distribution system

  1. Polyamide degradation (with metals as catalyst)

  2. Slow reaction kinetics
Ozone

  1. Very good bio control

  1. Quick dissipation

  2. Polyamide degradation
Non-Oxidizers
Dbnpa

  1. Good polyamide compatibility

  1. Short half-life at pH > 7

  2. Poor disinfection (better at keeping clean membranes clean)

  3. Off-line use for potable applications
Isothiazolones

  1. Good polyamide compatibility

  2. Best used for long term storage

  1. Hazardous chemical—aquatic toxicity

  2. Little disinfection (better at keeping clean membranes clean)

  3. Slow acting

  4. Off-line use for potable applications
Sodium Bisulfite

  1. Good polyamide compatibility

  2. Best for preventing aerobic bacteria growth

  3. Generally used for long term storage

  1. Can promote anaerobic biofouling

  2. Does not provide membrane disinfection
Non-Chemical
Ultraviolet Radiation

  1. Good bio control

  1. Bacteria subject to photoreactivation or dark repair

  2. Carries no residual

  3. Equipment subject to fouling/scaling

  4. Capital intensive
Cleaning

  1. Easy to employ

  2. Possibility to restore membrane performance

  1. Typically applied after biofouling has reached plateau phase

  2. Does not disinfect membrane