Investigate of Improving the Measurement of the Membrane Particulate Fouling Index (MFI) Using Nanofiltration Membrane in Desalination

Membrane fouling is a serious problem in water treatment and desalination plants using reverse osmosis(RO) and nanofiltration (NF) membranes. To determine the fouling potential of RO feed water the SiltDensity Index (SDI) and the Modified Fouling Index (MFI) are commonly applied. SDI and MFI oftenfail to predict actual membrane fouling. In this research using NF (MFI-NF) instead of MF in MFI, a newindice was developed for particulate fouling potential of RO and NF feedwater.