Journal of Membrane Science & Technology

Steven Pratt

Publications

• Research Article
  Insight in to the Initial Stages of Silica Scaling Employing a Scanning Electron and Atomic Force Microscopy Approach
  Author(s): Bogdan C Donose, Greg Birkett and Steven Pratt Bogdan C Donose, Greg Birkett and Steven Pratt
  
  The performance of reverse osmosis (RO) desalination can be limited by membrane scaling. Of particular concern is silica scale, which once deposited on the membrane is extremely difficult to remove. In this work, the deposition of silica-rich nanoparticles was considered. A novel in situ sample preparation method was developed for a microscopy investigation into the deposition and adhesion of the silica-rich nanoparticles. The method involves placing a clean silica wafer in agitated brine to collect particles to simulate initial stages of scaling. The ?scaled? surfaces were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Model brines, with varying nanoparticle, cation, and organic composition and concentration were tested, as well as reject brine from a full-scale operational water treatment facility. Microscopy revealed that silica-rich nanopartic.. View More»
  DOI: 10.4172/2155-9589.1000163

  Abstract PDF