Patent ID: 8999162
Filing Date: 2015-04-07
Classification: B01D,C02F

Abstract:
1. A system for treating a liquid containing membrane foulants, the system comprising: a pressure vessel configured to hold a volume of a liquid containing membrane foulants, the pressure vessel having an inlet and a permeate outlet; a spiral-wound reverse osmosis or nanofiltration membrane element disposed within the pressure vessel, the spiral-wound reverse osmosis or nanofiltration membrane element having one or more membrane sheets spaced apart at a spacing of from about 1 mm to about 8 mm; a circulator configured to circulate the liquid past the spiral-wound reverse osmosis or nanofiltration membrane element in the pressure vessel; a supply of antifouling particles; and an antifouling apparatus configured to deliver the supply of antifouling particles to the liquid, wherein the antifouling particles are configured to coat membrane surfaces of the spiral-wound reverse osmosis or nanofiltration membrane element to form a protective layer that attracts and holds membrane foulants while allowing passage of permeate through the spiral-wound reverse osmosis or nanofiltration membrane element.