A Statistical Approach to Determine Efficient Fouling Index

Desalination using a reverse osmosis (RO) membrane is a complex process that requires preventive maintenance to control the fouling potential of feed water for long-term successful operation. Fouling is caused by scaling, bacterial growth, or the deposition of suspended or dissolved substances. The widely accepted measure of the fouling potential is the silt density index (SDI). We conducted filtering experiments under diverse conditions to gain new insight into the performance and deficiencies of the SDI from a statistical point of view. Based on the results, we developed a new fouling index that is more reliable and feasible than the SDI.