Sung-Ho Hong

Bio: Sung-Ho Hong is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Fouling & Reverse osmosis. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 2 publications receiving 6 citations.

Evaluation of chemical cleaning efficiency of organic-fouled SWRO membrane by analyzing filtration resistance

Abstract: Membrane fouling is an unavoidable phenomenon in the operation of seawater reverse osmosis and a major obstacle to economic and efficient operation. In particular, membrane fouling by organic matter negatively affects productivity, product quality, and process cost. Therefore, a chemical cleaning process is essential to prevent interruptions for an effective RO membrane filtration process. Firstly, this study focused on the proper chemical cleaning condition for commercial polyamide RO membranes purchased from two companies. The flux decline rate of SWC5+ membrane was higher than that of SW39HRLE400 membrane regardless of organic foulants because the initial zeta potential of SWC5+ membrane (−21.17 mV) was lower than that of SW30HRLE400 membrane (−30.11 mV) and the repulsive force between membrane surface and foulants was also lower. In addition, we attempted to evaluate cleaning efficiency according to the chemical cleaning conditions and investigate the cause of fouling by analyzing membrane re...

Evaluation on Chemical Cleaning Efficiency of Organic-fouled SWRO Membrane in Seawater Desalination Process

Abstract: Membrane fouling is an unavoidable phenomenon in operation of seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) and major obstacle for economic and efficient operation. When fouling occurs on the membrane surface, the permeate flux is decreased, on the contrary, the trans-membrane pressure (TMP) is increased, therefore operation and maintaining costs and potential damage of membranes are able to the pivotal risks of the process. Chemical cleaning process is essential to prevent interruptions for effective RO membrane filtration process. This study focused on proper chemical cleaning condition for polyamide RO membranes of 4 companies. Several chemical agents were applied for chemical cleaning under numbers of operating conditions. Additionally, a monitoring tool of FEEM as autopsy analysis method is adapted for the prediction of organic bio-fouling.

How RO membrane permeability and other performance factors affect process cost and energy use: A review

Abstract: Reverse osmosis (RO) technology has progressed steadily over the last few decades. Those gains were achieved through improvements in both RO membrane element performance and energy recovery technologies. However, some recent literature indicates that RO membrane water permeability is approaching performance limits imposed by transport processes and thermodynamic constraints. This paper reviews how RO membrane element performance affects the cost of RO processes, especially the specific energy consumption. RO membrane performance encompasses water permeability, salt permeability, and other some characteristics of the RO element. This paper considers not only conventional RO processes, but also the recently proposed closed-circuit RO and batch RO processes. Even if the membrane water permeability increases, little additional effect is found when the membrane water permeability exceeds around 3 LMH/bar for seawater RO and 8 LMH/bar for brackish water RO in conventional single-stage RO. Increasing membrane water permeability has the potential to decrease membrane surface area and associated costs. A major limitation of most existing literature is that performance is evaluation on in terms of the initial operating conditions. Chronological changes, such as result from fouling, must also be considered to accurately validate how membrane element performance affects RO cost.

Biogas slurry concentration hybrid membrane process: pilot-testing and RO membrane cleaning.

Abstract: The integrated membrane technology, consisting of MF, UF, and RO membrane, was used for the concentration of biogas slurry to realize the recovery of fertilizer and water. The pilot test proved the feasibility of the integrated membrane technology in this application. The RO membrane can concentrate the biogas slurry with the concentration factor of 5. RO membrane shows over 97% removal for COD and NH3-N, allowing less than 50 ppm of COD and NH3-N transport to the permeate side. The RO membrane suffered both organic and inorganic fouling. The optimal strategy for eliminating the fouling in this study is the receipt of NaOH + SDS + STPP → HCl. The salt rejection maintained at around 97.0% by this strategy, and the flux recovery had a sharp increase (~ 50.0%) after the addition of this multiple agent.

Oilfield-produced water treatment using conventional and membrane-based technologies for beneficial reuse: A critical review.

Abstract: Oilfield produced water (OPW) is one of the most important by-products, resulting from oil and gas exploration. The water contains a complex mixture of organic and inorganic compounds such as grease, dissolved salt, heavy metals as well as dissolved and dispersed oils, which can be toxic to the environment and public health. This article critically reviews the complex properties of OPW and various technologies for its treatment. They include the physico-chemical treatment process, biological treatment process, and physical treatment process. Their technological strengths and bottlenecks as well as strategies to mitigate their bottlenecks are elaborated. A particular focus is placed on membrane technologies. Finally, further research direction, challenges, and perspectives of treatment technologies for OPW are discussed. It is conclusively evident from 262 published studies (1965-2021) that no single treatment method is highly effective for OPW treatment as a stand-alone process however, conventional membrane-based technologies are frequently used for the treatment of OPW with the ultrafiltration (UF) process being the most used for oil rejection form OPW and oily waste water. After membrane treatment, treated effluents of the OPW could be reused for irrigation, habitant and wildlife watering, microalgae production, and livestock watering. Overall, this implies that target pollutants in the OPW samples could be removed efficiently for subsequent use, despite its complex properties. In general, it is however important to note that feed quality, desired quality of effluent, cost-effectiveness, simplicity of process are key determinants in choosing the most suitable treatment process for OPW treatment.

Polymeric membranes for produced water treatment: an overview of fouling behavior and its control

Abstract: Abstract Produced water (PW) from the oil/gas field is an important waste stream. Due to its highly pollutant nature and large volume of generation, the management of PW is a significant challenge for the petrochemical industry. The treatment of PW can improve the economic viability of oil and gas exploration, and the treated water can provide a new source of water in the water-scarce region for some beneficial uses. The reverse osmosis (RO) and selective nanofiltration (NF) membrane treatment of PW can reduce the salt and organic contents to acceptable levels for some beneficial uses, such as irrigation, and different industrial reuses. However, membrane fouling is a major obstacle for the membrane-based treatment of PW. In this review, the author discusses the polymeric membrane (mainly RO/NF) fouling during PW treatment. Membrane fouling mechanisms by various types of foulants, such as organic, inorganic, colloidal, and biological matters, are discussed. The review concludes with some of the measures to control fouling by membrane surface modification approaches.

Evaluation of chemical cleaning efficiency of organic-fouled SWRO membrane by analyzing filtration resistance

Abstract: Membrane fouling is an unavoidable phenomenon in the operation of seawater reverse osmosis and a major obstacle to economic and efficient operation. In particular, membrane fouling by organic matter negatively affects productivity, product quality, and process cost. Therefore, a chemical cleaning process is essential to prevent interruptions for an effective RO membrane filtration process. Firstly, this study focused on the proper chemical cleaning condition for commercial polyamide RO membranes purchased from two companies. The flux decline rate of SWC5+ membrane was higher than that of SW39HRLE400 membrane regardless of organic foulants because the initial zeta potential of SWC5+ membrane (−21.17 mV) was lower than that of SW30HRLE400 membrane (−30.11 mV) and the repulsive force between membrane surface and foulants was also lower. In addition, we attempted to evaluate cleaning efficiency according to the chemical cleaning conditions and investigate the cause of fouling by analyzing membrane re...