US20040203088A1

US20040203088A1 - Method of monitoring biofouling in membrane separation systems

Info

Publication number: US20040203088A1
Application number: US10/740,336
Authority: US
Inventors: Bosco Ho; May Wu; E.H. Zeiher; Mita Chattoraj
Original assignee: Nalco Co LLC
Current assignee: ChampionX LLC
Priority date: 2002-07-23
Filing date: 2003-12-18
Publication date: 2004-10-14
Also published as: AU2003230706A1; DE60329304D1; CN1685060A; US6699684B2; US20040018583A1; BR0312819B1; CN100379877C; AU2003230706B2; ATE443155T1; WO2004009497A2; EP1539994B1; ES2333594T3; EP1539994A2; EP1539994A4; JP4387302B2; WO2004009497A3; US20040115757A1; PT1539994E; JP2005533638A; BR0312819A

Abstract

Methods for monitoring and controlling biofouling in membrane separation systems are provided. The present invention uses measurable amounts of fluorogenic agent(s) added to a feed stream to monitor and control the level of microbial growth during membrane separation and, thus, the purification of such feed stream during membrane separation.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

This patent application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/201,088, filed Jul. 23, 2002, now pending.[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to membranes and, more particularly, to methods for monitoring and controlling biofouling in membrane separation systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Membrane separation, which uses a selective membrane, is a fairly recent addition to the industrial separation technology for processing of liquid streams, such as water purification. In membrane separation, constituents of the influent typically pass through the membrane as a result of a driving force(s) in the feed stream, to form the permeate stream (on the other side of the membrane), thus leaving behind some portion of the original constituents in a stream known as the concentrate.

Membrane separations commonly used for water purification or other liquid processing include microfiltration (MF), ultrafiltration (UF), nanofiltration (NF), reverse osmosis (RO), electrodialysis, electrodeionization, pervaporation, membrane extraction, membrane distillation, membrane stripping, membrane aeration, and other processes.

Pressure-driven membrane filtration uses pressure as the driving force. Pressure-driven membrane filtration is also known as membrane filtration. Pressure-driven membrane filtration includes microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration and reverse osmosis. In contrast to pressure driven membrane filtration an electrical driving force is used in electrodialysis and electrodeionization.

Historically, membrane separation processes or systems were not considered cost effective for water treatment due to the adverse impacts that membrane scaling, membrane fouling, membrane degradation and the like had on the efficiency of removing solutes from aqueous water streams. However, advancements in technology have now made membrane separation a more commercially viable technology for treating aqueous feed streams suitable for use in industrial processes.

Furthermore, membrane separation processes have also been made more practical for industrial use, particularly for raw and wastewater purification. This has been achieved through the use of improved diagnostic tools or techniques for evaluating and monitoring membrane separation performance. The performance of membrane separation, such as efficiency, for example: flux, membrane permeability, permeate recovery, energy efficiency, time between membrane cleanings or time to conduct a cleaning cycle, and effectiveness, for example: rejection or selectivity, are typically reduced by membrane fouling.

Membrane separation processes are prone to fouling by microbes, which is known as biofouling. The growth of microorganisms during membrane separation is a constant concern particularly in aqueous streams which provide optimum conditions for microbial growth. Biofouling is particularly detrimental to membrane separation systems because once it is started, the growth rate accelerates and biofouling can facilitate other types of fouling as well. For example, the exopolymeric substances (“EPS”) or slime layer of the biomass can trap and hold scales and other particulates that might otherwise pass out of the membrane separation system during operation. Furthermore, a thick EPS layer can also decrease turbulent flow within the membrane. This can lead to an increase in the concentration polarization layer which is a known contributor to membrane scaling phenomena.

The immediate and most obvious effect of biofouling is a decrease in membrane permeate output and/or a rise in the pressure drop along the length of a membrane element on the feed and concentrate side of the membrane, referred to herein as “differential pressure.” Under a constant pressure, this results in a loss in the production of permeate. Pressure can be increased in order to maintain a constant flux, but this increases energy consumption and further accelerates fouling. In addition, continued operation under these conditions (i.e., a loss of permeate flux, an increase in pressure differential and an increase in the pressure driving force) would necessarily require an increased number of cleanings over the life time of the membrane, thereby decreasing the membrane life and potentially increasing water costs if a significant amount of down time is required due to the cleanings. Less obvious effects include reduced solute rejection, contamination of permeate and deterioration of membrane modules, such as biodegradation on membrane glue lines. The review article written by H. F. Ridgway & H. Flemming entitled “Membrane Biofouling”, Water Treatment Membrane Processes, McGraw Hill, pp. 6.1 to 6.62, 1996, is helpful to an understanding of these matters.

In general, biofouling is controlled through the use of biocides and other biocontrol agents, i.e., chemicals that can inhibit microbial growth by destroying the cell wall or cellular constituents of microorganisms. Mechanical means and radiation means are additional possibilities. Intermittent use of biocides is typically encouraged since biocides can be both expensive and toxic. Thus, to prevent waste, constant monitoring and testing of the water system and of the membrane process parameters are required to determine the proper quantity of biocide for controlling microbial growth.

However, known monitoring techniques may not provide an adequate level of sensitivity, specificity and/or accuracy with respect to monitoring the effects of biofouling on membrane separation. Typical monitoring techniques include pressure and flow measurements and grab sampling to determine microbial population. With respect to pressure measurements, monitoring is generally conducted by evaluating changes in the differential pressure along the length of the membrane. With respect to flow measurement, the flow meters generally employed in such systems are subject to calibration inaccuracies, thus requiring frequent calibration. However, the changes in pressure and flow are not necessarily specific to biofouling, as they can be influenced by any suitable increase in scalants, foulants and/or like constituents that can build-up and remain in the system during membrane separation. As previously discussed, the microbial growth layer can enhance other types of fouling since it can trap or hold scales and other particulates that might otherwise pass out of the system during membrane separation.

For grab samples, water samples are typically taken from the feed stream and the exit stream. Samples from the permeate stream can also be taken to determine if there is any contamination in the permeate. A typical technique involves withdrawing a sample, diluting the sample, and applying the sample to the surface of a nutrient agar medium. After incubation for 24 to 28 hours, the sample is checked for the presence of microorganisms and, where appropriate, the organisms are counted by manual or video means. A variation on this method includes withdrawing a sample and culturing it for a predetermined time, and then observing the culture medium by nephelometry or turbidimetry. In other words, the presence of microorganisms is revealed by the opacity of the culture medium.

A significant problem associated with grab sampling is the time lag between withdrawing the sample and completing the analysis to determine the level of microbiological activity in the sample. In this regard, the time lag can be exacerbated when the samples have to be transported off-site for analysis which can further delay obtaining the results.

Another problem associated with grab sampling is that it can underestimate the overall microbiological activity in the industrial water system because grab sampling is only sufficient to provide an indication of the planktonic microbiological activity, not the sessile activity. Planktonic microbiological populations are alive and exist suspended within the water of a water system. As used herein, the term “sessile” refers to populations of microorganisms that are alive, but immobile. It is possible to get an industry-acceptable measurement of planktonic populations by grab sampling since planktonic microorganisms are suspended within the water sample that is removed and tested for microorganism concentrations. In contrast, sessile populations are strongly attached to the structures within the system and their presence is not easily measured by removing a sample of water and testing this sample for microorganisms. In this regard, the level of planktonic cells may not directly correlate to the level of sessile cells in the membrane separation system.

Accordingly, a need exists to monitor and/or control biofouling in membrane separation systems in real-time where conventional monitoring techniques are generally complex and/or may lack the sensitivity, specificity and/or accuracy necessary to adequately monitor biofouling such that membrane separation performance can be optimized.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The first aspect of the instant claimed invention is a method of monitoring biofouling in a membrane separation system including a membrane capable of separating a feed stream into at least a first stream, known as the permeate, and a second stream, known as the concentrate, comprising the steps of:

(a) selecting a fluorogenic agent wherein the selection is made such that it is known in advance whether said fluorogenic agent is

(i) capable of traveling through the membrane into the permeate stream, or

(ii) not capable of passing through the membrane into the permeate stream;

(b) adding the fluorogenic agent to the feed stream;

(c) providing one or more fluorometers to detect the fluorescent signal of the fluorogenic agent in at least one of the feed stream, the concentrate and optionally the permeate;

(d) allowing the fluorogenic agent to react with at least one microorganism within the membrane separation system to form a reacted fluorogenic agent;

(e) using said one or more fluorometers to detect the fluorescent signal of at least one of the fluorogenic agent and the reacted fluorogenic agent in at least one of the feed stream and the concentrate and optionally the permeate; and

(f) using the fluorescent signal of at least one of the fluorogenic agent and the reacted fluorogenic agent to monitor biofouling in the membrane separation system based on the change in the fluorescent signal of the fluorogenic agent, or the reacted fluorogenic agent or a combination of both fluorescent signals.

The second aspect of the instant claimed invention is a method of monitoring biofouling in a membrane separation system including a membrane capable of separating a feed stream into at least a first stream, known as the permeate, and a second stream, known as the concentrate, comprising the steps of:

(i) capable of traveling through the membrane into the permeate stream, or

(ii) not capable of passing through the membrane into the permeate stream;

(b) selecting an inert fluorescent tracer wherein the selection is made such that it is known in advance whether said inert fluorescent tracer is

(i) capable of traveling through the membrane into the permeate stream, or

(ii) not capable of passing through the membrane into the permeate stream;

(b) adding the fluorogenic agent and the inert fluorescent tracer to the feed stream, wherein said fluorogenic agent and said inert fluorescent tracer are added in a known proportion to each other;

(c) providing one or more fluorometers to detect the fluorescent signal of the fluorogenic agent and the fluorescent signal of the inert fluorescent tracer in at least one of the feed stream or the concentrate or optionally the permeate;

(e) using said one or more fluorometers to detect the fluorescent signal of at least one of the fluorogenic agent and the reacted fluorogenic agent and the inert fluorescent tracer in at least one of the feed stream and the concentrate and optionally the permeate; and

(f) using the fluorescent signal of at least one of the fluorogenic agent and the reacted fluorogenic agent and the inert fluorescent tracer to monitor biofouling in the membrane separation system based on the change in the fluorescent signal of the fluorogenic agent, or the reacted fluorogenic agent or a combination of both fluorescent signals relative to the fluorescent signal of the inert fluorescent tracer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Throughout this patent application, the following terms have the indicated meanings. [0037]
“capable” means “having the ability or qualities necessary for a certain task”. [0038]
“pore” A pore is a pathway, which functions as the means by which “something” is intended to pass through a membrane surface. The “something” may be a solute, a particle, a molecule or anything of such dimension that it is capable of fitting through the pore. A “pore” is different than a “hole” in the membrane because “holes” or “defects” in the membrane are not intended to be present in the membrane. A “pore” may be an opening of a defined size and shape, for example a cylindrical pore with a 0.2 micron diameter. Alternatively, a “pore” may be a torturous path consisting of a series of openings of undefined shape which allow particles of only a certain overall size to pass. The term “pore” is generally not in common usage with reverse osmosis membranes because with reverse osmosis membranes the “pores” may only be as small as the interstitial voids between the polymer nodules in a polymer membrane. [0039]
“permeate” The permeate stream is that stream that travels through the pores of the membrane. [0040]
“concentrate” The concentrate stream is that stream that does not travel through the pores of the membrane. [0041]
“Nalco” refers to Nalco Company, 1601 W. Diehl Road, Naperville, Ill. 60563, (630) 305-1000. [0042]
The first aspect of the instant claimed invention is a method of monitoring biofouling in a membrane separation system including a membrane capable of separating a feed stream into at least a first stream, known as the permeate, and a second stream, known as the concentrate, comprising the steps of: [0043]
(a) selecting a fluorogenic agent wherein the selection is made such that it is known in advance whether said fluorogenic agent is [0044]
(i) capable of traveling through the membrane into the permeate stream, or [0045]
(ii) not capable of passing through the membrane into the permeate stream; [0046]
(b) adding the fluorogenic agent to the feed stream; [0047]
(c) providing one or more fluorometers to detect the fluorescent signal of the fluorogenic agent in at least one of the feed stream, the concentrate and optionally the permeate; [0048]
(d) allowing the fluorogenic agent to react with at least one microorganism within the membrane separation system to form a reacted fluorogenic agent; [0049]
(e) using said one or more fluorometers to detect the fluorescent signal of at least one of the fluorogenic agent and the reacted fluorogenic agent in at least one of the feed stream and the concentrate and optionally the permeate; and [0050]
(f) using the fluorescent signal of at least one of the fluorogenic agent and the reacted fluorogenic agent to monitor biofouling in the membrane separation system based on the change in the fluorescent signal of the fluorogenic agent, or the reacted fluorogenic agent or a combination of both fluorescent signals. [0051]
Membranes suitable for use in the instant claimed invention include cross-flow systems, dead-end flow systems, reverse osmosis, nanofiltration, ultrafiltration, microfiltration, electrodialysis, electrodeionization, pervaporation, membrane extraction, membrane distillation, membrane stripping, membrane aeration and the like or combinations thereof. The preferred membrane separation systems are reverse osmosis, nanofiltration, ultrafiltration and microfiltration [0052]
In reverse osmosis, the feed stream is typically processed under cross-flow conditions. In this regard, the feed stream flows substantially parallel to the membrane surface such that only a portion of the feed stream diffuses through the membrane as permeate. The cross-flow rate is routinely high in order to provide a scouring action that lessens membrane surface fouling. This can also decrease concentration polarization effects (e.g., concentration of solutes in the reduced-turbulence boundary layer at the membrane surface, which can increase the osmotic pressure at the membrane and thus can reduce permeate flow). The concentration polarization effects can inhibit the feed stream water from passing through the membrane as permeate, thus decreasing the recovery ratio, e.g., the ratio of permeate to applied feed stream. [0053]
Reverse osmosis systems can employ a variety of different types of actual membranes. Such commercial membrane element types include, without limitation, hollow fiber membrane elements, tubular membrane elements, spiral-wound membrane elements, plate and frame membrane elements, and the like, some of which are described in more detail in “The Nalco Water Handbook,” Second Edition, Frank N. Kemmer ed., McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York, N.Y., 1988; see particularly Chapter 15 entitled “Membrane Separation”. It should be appreciated that a single membrane element may be used in a given membrane filtration system, but a number of membrane elements can also be used depending on the industrial application. [0054]
A typical reverse osmosis system is described as an example of membrane filtration and more generally membrane separation. Reverse osmosis uses mainly spiral wound elements or modules, which are constructed by winding layers of semi-permeable membranes with feed spacers and permeate water carriers around a central perforated permeate collection tube. Typically, the modules are sealed with tape and/or fiberglass over-wrap. The resulting construction has one channel which can receive an inlet flow. The inlet stream flows longitudinally along the membrane module and exits the other end as a concentrate stream. Within the module, water passes through the semi-porous membrane and is trapped in a permeate channel which flows to a central collection tube. From this tube it flows out of a designated channel and is collected. [0055]
In practice, membrane modules are stacked together, end to end, with inter-connectors joining the permeate tubes of the first module to the permeate tube of the second module, and so on. These membrane module stacks are housed in pressure vessels. Within the pressure vessel feed water passes into the first module in the stack, which removes a portion of the water as permeate water. The concentrate stream from the first membrane becomes the feed stream of the second membrane and so on down the stack. The permeate streams from all of the membranes in the stack are collected in the joined permeate tubes. [0056]
Within most reverse osmosis systems, pressure vessels are arranged in either “stages” or “passes.” In a staged membrane system, the combined concentrate streams from a bank of pressure vessels are directed to a second bank of pressure vessels where they become the feed stream for the second stage. Commonly systems have 2 to 3 stages with successively fewer pressure vessels in each stage. For example, a system may contain 4 pressure vessels in a first stage, the concentrate streams of which feed 2 pressure vessels in a second stage, the concentrate streams of which in turn feed 1 pressure vessel in the third stage. This is designated as a “4:2:1” array. In a staged membrane configuration, the combined permeate streams from all pressure vessels in all stages are collected and used without further membrane treatment. Multi-stage systems are used when large volumes of purified water are required, for example for boiler feed water. The permeate streams from the membrane system may be further purified by ion exchange or other means. [0057]
In a multi-pass system, the permeate streams from each bank of pressure vessels are collected and used as the feed to the subsequent banks of pressure vessels. The concentrate streams from all pressure vessels are combined without further membrane treatment of each individual stream. Multi-pass systems are used when very high purity water is required, for example in the microelectronics or pharmaceutical industries. [0058]
It should be clear from the above examples that the concentrate stream of one stage of an RO system can be the feed stream of another stage. Likewise the permeate stream of a single pass of a multi-pass system may be the feed stream of a subsequent pass. A challenge in monitoring systems such as the reverse osmosis examples cited above is that there are a limited number of places where sampling and monitoring can occur, namely the feed, permeate and concentrate streams. In some, but not all, systems “inter-stage” sampling points allow sampling/monitoring of the first stage concentrate/second stage feed stream. Similar inter-pass sample points may be available on multi-pass systems as well. [0059]
In contrast to cross-flow filtration membrane separation systems, conventional filtration of suspended solids can be conducted by passing a feed fluid through a filter media or membrane in a substantially perpendicular direction. This effectively creates one exit stream during the service cycle. Periodically, the filter is backwashed by passing a clean fluid in a direction opposite to the feed, generating a backwash effluent containing species that have been retained by the filter. Thus conventional filtration produces a feed stream, a purified stream and a backwash stream. This type of membrane separation is typically referred to as dead-end flow separation and is typically limited to the separation of suspended particles greater than about one micron in size. [0060]
Cross-flow filtration techniques, on the other hand, can be used for removing smaller particles (generally about one micron in size or less), colloids and dissolved solutes. Such types of cross-flow membrane separation systems can include, for example, reverse osmosis, nanofiltration, ultrafiltration, microfiltration, electrodialysis or the like. Reverse osmosis can remove even low molecular weight dissolved species that are at least about 0.0001 to about 0.001 microns in minimum diameter, including, for example, ionic and nonionic species, low molecular weight molecules, water-soluble macromolecules or polymers, suspended solids, colloids, and such substances as bacteria and viruses. [0061]
The fluorogenic agent added to the membrane system must be a molecule or species that undergoes a change in its fluorescent signal upon interaction with a broad population of microbiological organisms. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that environmental factors, such as pH and temperature, may affect the fluorescent signal and should be accounted for and corrected accordingly. Suitable fluorogenic agents, include, but are not limited to: [0062]
acetic acid ester of pyrene 3,6,8-trisulfonic acid; [0063]
3-carboxyumbelliferyl β-D-galactopyranoside; [0064]
3-carboxyumbelliferyl β-D-glucuronide; [0065]
9H-(1,3-dichloro-9,0-dimethylacridine-2-one-7-yl), D-glucuronide; [0066]
resorufin β-D-galactopyranoside; [0067]
7-hydroxy-3H-phenoxazin-3-one 10-oxide (hereinafter “resazurin”); [0068]
7-hydroxy-3H-phenoxazin-3-one 10-oxide, sodium salt (hereinafter “resazurin, sodium salt”); [0069]
4-methylumbelliferyl phosphate (“4MUP”); [0070]
4-methylumbelliferyl β-D-glucuronide; [0071]
pyranine phosphate; [0072]
pyrene 3,6,8-trisulfonic acid 1-phosphate; and [0073]
all like fluorogenic agents, derivatives and combinations thereof. [0074]
The preferred fluorogenic agents include resazurin, 4MUP, pyranine phosphate and combinations thereof. Resazurin is the most preferred fluorogenic agent. [0075]
It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the fluorogenic agents are either commercially available (for example, resazurin, sodium salt is available from ALDRICH® of Milwaukee, Wis.) or capable of being synthesized using procedures reported in the literature (for example, as is the case with pyranine phosphate). [0076]
The selection of fluorogenic agent and inert fluorescent tracer are made based on the membrane system being monitored and the purpose of the monitoring. Factors influencing the permeability of a material through a membrane include the following: [0077]
a) Size of the material and size of the pores in the membrane; [0078]
b) Charge of the material and charge (or lack thereof) of the membrane; [0079]
c) Tendency of the material to adsorb on the surface of the membrane, rather than pass through the pores of the membrane; [0080]
d) Concentration Differentials between the material on one side of the membrane and the material on the other side of the membrane; and [0081]
e) Residence times of the feed stream containing the material being in contact with the membrane. [0082]
Persons of ordinary skill in the art of membranes know how to set up and run the routine tests necessary to determine whether a particular fluorogenic agent, by itself, in its reacted form or even in combination with a particular inert fluorescent tracer is capable of passing through the pores in a membrane. It is required, in order to optimally conduct the method of the first and second aspect of the instant claimed invention that it is known, in advance, whether a fluorogenic agent is capable of passing through the pores of the membrane. It is also required, in order to optimally conduct the method of the second aspect of the instant claimed invention whether the inert fluorescent tracer is capable of passing through the pores of the membrane. [0083]
It should be appreciated that the amount of fluorogenic agent to be added to the membrane separation process that is effective without being grossly excessive will vary with a respect to a variety of factors including, without limitation, the monitoring method selected, the extent of background interference associated with the selected monitoring method, the magnitude of the expected tracer(s) concentration in the feedwater and/or concentrate, the monitoring mode (such as an on-line continuous monitoring mode), and other similar factors. In an embodiment, the amount of the fluorogenic agent added to the feed stream is an amount capable of determining microbial activity. In an embodiment, an effective amount of fluorogenic agent ranges from about 5 ppt to about 500 ppm, preferably from about 0.5 ppb to about 5 ppm, and more preferably from about 5 ppb to about 500 ppb. When the salt form of the agent (e.g., resazurin, sodium salt) is added to the industrial water system, the calculation of ppm is based on the active amount of the fluorogenic agent present. [0084]
The cost of the fluorogenic agent also places a practical upper limit on the amount of fluorogenic agent added to the system. Additional factors influencing fluorogenic agent addition to the system include the type of fluorogenic agent, the amount of liquid continuously lost and replenished within the membrane separation system and the type of fluids contained within the membrane separation system. [0085]
In an embodiment, it is preferred that the fluorogenic agent of the present invention meet the following criteria: [0086]
1. Not be adsorbed by the membrane in any appreciable amount; [0087]
2. Not degrade the membrane or otherwise hinder its performance or alter its composition; [0088]
3. Be detectable on a continuous or semi-continuous basis and susceptible to concentration measurements that are accurate, repeatable and capable of being performed on feedwater, concentrate water, permeate water or other suitable media or combinations thereof; [0089]
4. Be substantially foreign to the chemical species that are normally present in the water of the membrane separation systems in which inert tracers may be used; [0090]
5. Be substantially impervious to interference from, or biasing by, the chemical species that are normally present in the water of membrane separation systems in which inert tracers may be used; [0091]
6. Be substantially impervious to any of its own potential specific or selective losses from the water of membrane separation systems, including selective permeation of the membrane; [0092]
7. Be compatible with all treatment agents employed in the water of the membrane separation systems in which inert tracers may be used, and thus in no way reduce the efficacy thereof; [0093]
8. Be compatible with all components of its formulation; and [0094]
9. Be relatively nontoxic and environmentally safe, not only within the environs of the water or the membrane separation system in which it may be used, but also upon discharge therefrom. [0095]
It should be appreciated that the present invention only requires a single fluorogenic species to exist with the introduction of the fluorogenic agent as long as that species is reacted and can be measured between the point of introduction and the point of measurement. [0096]
The fluorogenic agents suitable for use in the instant claimed process must have a detectable fluorescent signal prior to their reacting with the microorganisms and also must have a different detectable fluorescent signal after they have reacted with the microorganisms. [0097]
It is believed, without intending to be bound thereby, that enzymes synthesized by the living microbiological organisms in the membrane separation can act upon the fluorogenic agents. This activity causes a change in the fluorescent signal of the fluorogenic agent. By monitoring the fluorescent signal, microbiological activity during membrane separation can be monitored. As previously discussed, the methods of the present invention are capable of monitoring microbiological activity from both planktonic and sessile populations, in contrast to methods known in the art. [0098]
The fluorogenic agent can be fed either by itself or in combination with another membrane separation agent, such as an inert fluorescent tracer, a treatment agent, such as scale and corrosion inhibitors, like agents and combinations thereof. By “treatment chemicals and/or agents” is meant without limitation treatment chemicals that enhance membrane separation process performance, antiscalants that retard/prevent membrane scale deposition, antifoulants that retard/prevent membrane fouling, biodispersants and microbial-growth inhibiting agents, such as biocides and cleaning chemicals that remove membrane deposits. [0099]
In an embodiment, the inert fluorescent tracer material is used to determine the concentration of fluorogenic agent present and by knowing that concentration it is possible to operate the system so that a desired level of fluorogenic agent is fed accurately. See U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,783,314; 4,992,380 and 5,041,386, which are incorporated herein by reference. [0100]
The meaning of the term “inert”, as used herein, is that an inert fluorescent tracer is not appreciably or significantly affected by any other chemistry in the system, or by the other system parameters such as microbiological activity, biocide concentration and scale inhibitor concentration. To quantify what is meant by “not appreciably or significantly affected”, this statement means that an inert fluorescent compound has no more than a 10% change in its fluorescent signal, under conditions normally encountered in industrial water systems. Conditions normally encountered in industrial water systems are known to people of ordinary skill in the art of industrial water systems. [0101]
Inert fluorescent tracer materials suitable for use with the fluorogenic agents that are used in the instant claimed invention must have the property of having their unique fluorescent signal be detectably different than the fluorescent signals of the fluorogenic agent and the reacted fluorogenic agent. This means that the fluorescent signal of the fluorogenic agent and the fluorescent signal of the reacted fluorogenic agent must both be detectably different than that of the inert fluorescent tracer material. [0102]
Suitable inert fluorescent tracer materials are the mono-, di- and tri-sulfonated naphthalenes, including their known water-soluble salts; and the known sulfonated derivatives of pyrene, such as 1,3,6,8-pyrenetetrasulfonic acid, along with the known water-soluble salts of all of these materials, and Acid Yellow 7 (Chemical Abstract Service Registry Number 2391-30-2, for 1H-Benz(de) isoquinoline-5-sulfonic acid, 6-amino-2,3-dihydro-1,3-dioxo-2-p-tolyl-, monosodium salt (8CI)). [0103]
It should be appreciated that the amount of inert fluorescent tracer to be added to the membrane separation process that is effective without being grossly excessive will vary with a respect to a variety of factors including, without limitation, the monitoring method selected, the extent of background interference associated with the selected monitoring method, the magnitude of the expected tracer(s) concentration in the feedwater and/or concentrate, the monitoring mode (such as an on-line continuous monitoring mode), and other similar factors. In an embodiment, the dosage of each of an inert fluorescent tracer(s) to the feed water of the membrane separation system includes an amount that is at least sufficient to provide a measurable concentration of the inert fluorescent tracer in the concentrate at steady state of at least about 5 ppt, and preferably at least about 1 part per billion (“ppb”) or about 5 ppb or higher, such as, up to about 100 ppm or about 200 ppm, or even as high as about 1000 ppm in the concentrate or other effluent stream. In an embodiment, the amount of inert fluorescent tracer ranges from about 5 ppt to about 1000 ppm, preferably from about 1 ppb to about 50 ppm, and more preferably from about 5 ppb to about 50 ppb. [0104]
The fluorescent signals of the fluorogenic agent, the reacted fluorogenic agent and the inert fluorescent tracer material can be measured in a variety of different and suitable ways, including by using commercially available fluorometers. Fluorometers with suitable filters may be used to measure the fluorescent signal or signals derived from the fluorogenic agent, the reacted fluorogenic agent and the inert fluorescent tracer. [0105]
Examples of fluorometers that may be used in the practice of this invention include the TRASAR® 350 fluorometer, the TRASAR® 8000 fluorometer and the Modular Fluorometer (U.S. Pat. No. 6,369,894), all available from Nalco; the Hitachi F-4500 fluorometer (available from Hitachi through Hitachi Instruments Inc. of San Jose, Calif.); the JOBIN YVON FluoroMax-3 “SPEX” fluorometer (available from JOBIN YVON Inc. of Edison, N.J.); and the Gilford Fluoro-IV spectrophotometer or the SFM 25 (available from Bio-tech Kontron through Research Instruments International of San Diego, Calif.). It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the fluorometer list is not comprehensive and is intended only to show examples of fluorometers. Other commercially available fluorometers and modifications thereof can also be used in this invention. [0106]
A fluorometer needs to be placed so that it can detect the fluorescent signal in whichever of the three streams that it is possible and desired to detect the fluorescent signal of the fluorogenic agent, the reacted fluorogenic agent and the inert fluorescent tracer. For instance, to measure the fluorescent signal of the fluorogenic agent, the reacted fluorogenic agent and an inert fluorescent tracer, it would be necessary to have three separate fluorometers set up, one to detect the fluorescent signal of each moiety. Therefore, it would be necessary to have three separate fluorometers set up in each of the three streams, feed stream, first stream (aka the permeate stream) and the second stream (aka the concentrate stream). [0107]
The alternative to having three separate fluorometers is to have one fluorometer set up that is capable of detecting the fluorescent signals of all three moieties; such as the Modular Fluorometer described and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,369,894, issued Apr. 9, 2002. [0108]
Measuring the fluorescent signals of the fluorogenic agent, the reacted fluorogenic agent and the inert fluorescent tracer, is a known procedure to someone skilled in the art of fluorometry. For example, the fluorescent properties of the fluorogenic agent resazurin are well known both in its unreacted state and in its reacted “resorufin” state. In a preferred embodiment, the membrane separation system is sampled at locations such that grab samples do not have to be taken for measurements via the fluorometers. When the sampling components for the fluorometers are located within the membrane separation system, this type of sampling is typically referred to as an in-line measurement. [0109]
An in-line measurement is one that is taken without interrupting the flow of the system being measured. Because the sample components for the fluorometer(s) are positioned in-line when conducting an in-line measurement, the sample they are monitoring accurately reflects the entire membrane separation system and, as such, the information gleaned from conducting this method accurately reflects both the planktonic and sessile microbiological organism populations. In-line measurement overcomes the problems associated with grab sampling and the need to remove a sample from the aqueous stream for later testing. Also, the reacted and unreacted forms of the fluorogenic agents are tested on a real-time basis, wherein an almost instantaneous fluorescence reading of the two fluorogenic agents will provide an indication of microbial activity. [0110]
Notwithstanding the fact that in-line measurement is the preferred way of conducting the method of the instant claimed invention, it is possible to conduct the method of the instant claimed invention using a grab sampling technique suitable to secure samples of the industrial water system. If a grab sampling technique is used, a mechanism should necessarily be provided to convey the grab sample to the fluorometer in a reasonable length of time such that the data received from the fluorometer accurately reflects the current microbial growth status of the membrane separation system. [0111]
In an embodiment, a fluorescent signal ratio is used as an indication of microbial activity and thus an indication of biofouling during membrane separation. By calculating the ratio as opposed to simply measuring an absolute value of fluorescent signals, information is obtained that is independent of fluorogenic agent concentration. In another embodiment, the ratio can increase the sensitivity due to the fact that the microbiological organisms convert fluorogenic reagent to reacted fluorogenic agent with the ratio increase being due to both the decrease in the fluorescent signal of the unreacted fluorogenic agent and increase in the fluorescent signal of the reacted fluorogenic agent (e.g., the product). [0112]
The ratio of the fluorescent signal of the fluorogenic agent to the fluorescent signal of the reacted fluorogenic agent is: [0113] $ratio = \frac{fluorescent signal of reacted fluorogenic agent}{fluorescent signal of fluorogenic agent}$
The ratio is a unitless number. The ratio can be calculated manually or with a calculator or with a computer program. For ease of use, it is preferable that the ratio be calculated using an appropriate computer program such that a record of the ratio can be continuously calculated at set intervals. The rate of change of the ratio can then be used to determine the rate of increase of biofouling. [0114]
If necessary, other ratios can be determined and used to advantage. For example, the ratio of the fluorescent signal of the reacted fluorogenic reagent to the fluorescent signal of the inert tracer (second aspect of the instant claimed invention) could also be used to glean valuable information about the amount of biofouling occurring in the membrane separation system. [0115]
The present invention can include a controller to monitor and/or control the operating condition or performance of the membrane separation system based on the measurable fluorescent signals of the fluorogenic agent, reacted fluorogenic agent, and the inert fluorescent tracer. In this regard, biofouling is monitored in the membrane separation system by measuring the change in the signal of the fluorogenic agent or the reacted fluorogenic agent with respect to the signal of the inert fluorescent tracer and then comparing the resultant ratio to the corresponding ratio in the feed stream or the corresponding ratio at time zero, i.e., right after the membrane has been cleaned. The controller can be configured and/or adjusted in a variety of different and suitable ways. [0116]
For example, the controller can be in contact with the fluorometer to process the detection signal (e.g., filter noise from the signal) in order to enhance the detection of the fluorescent signal(s) derived from the fluorogenic agent, reacted fluorogenic agent and/or the inert fluorescent tracer. Further, the controller can be adjusted to communicate with other components of the membrane separation system. The communication can be either hard wired (e.g., electrical communication cable), a wireless communication (e.g., wireless RF interface), a pneumatic interface or the like. [0117]
In this regard, the controller can be used to control the performance of membrane separation by determining the optimal amount of biocontrol treatment needed. “Biochemical treatment” includes biocides, biocontrol agents, biocontrol methods and combinations thereof. For example, the controller can communicate with a feed device (not shown) in order to control various biofouling control chemicals or biofouling control devices or process parameters. In an embodiment, the controller is capable of adjusting the feed rate of biocontrol agent(s) added to the feed stream during membrane separation based on the fluorescence of the fluorogenic agent and reacted fluorogenic agent that are measured. In another embodiment, the addition of biocontrol agents are controlled based on the determination of the ratio of reacted fluorogenic agent to fluorogenic agent. In another embodiment, the addition of biocides are controlled based on the determination of the rate of change of ratio of reacted fluorogenic agent to fluorogenic agent. [0118]
A real-time determination of the fluorescence of the fluorogenic agent(s) enables immediate evaluation of the microbial activity as well as the efficiency of the current biocontrol agent dosage and/or the need for an additional feed of the biocontrol agent. Real-time determination of biological activity enables the process to add biocontrol agents on an as needed basis. Adding excess biocontrol agents, greater than what is needed to control the microbial activity is avoided when the biofouling condition is accessed on a real-time basis. Thus, the use of biocontrol agents can be administered at determined effective levels, which results in the correct amount being used. Additionally, the effectiveness of a biocontrol agent feed can be evaluated on a real-time basis and the dosage can be increased or decreased depending upon the real-time reading. [0119]
When the method of the instant claimed invention is conducted in the presence of biocontrol agents, certain adjustments have to be made. People of ordinary skill in the art know what biocides are used in membrane separation systems. In an embodiment, biocides added in response to unacceptable levels of microbial activity include oxidizing biocides, non-oxidizing biocides and combinations thereof. [0120]
It is extremely uncommon for oxidizing biocides to be used in reverse osmosis membrane separation systems or in other membrane systems (for example, polyamide membranes) that are not oxidant tolerant. However, when used with membranes that are oxidant tolerant, oxidizing biocides can be used. Persons of ordinary skill in the art of membranes would be aware of which combination of biocide and membrane material of construction would be acceptable. [0121]
When oxidizing biocides are selected, suitable oxidizing biocides include, but are not limited to: [0122]
BCDMH (92.5%, 93.5%, 98%), which is either 1,3-dichloro-5,5-dimethylhydantoin and 1-bromo-3-chloro-5,5-dimethyl hydantoin (CAS Registry #16079-88-2) or a mixture thereof; [0123]
bleaches, including stabilized bleaches; [0124]
bromine, including stabilized bromine; [0125]
calcium hypochlorite (CAS Registry #7778-54-3) “Cal Hypo” (68%); [0126]
chlorine, including stabilized chlorine (8.34%); [0127]
H[0128] ₂O₂/PAA (21.7%/5. 1%) which is hydrogen peroxide (CAS Registry #7722-84-1)/peracetic acid (CAS Registry #79-21-0);
hypobromite; [0129]
hypobromous acid; [0130]
iodine; [0131]
organobromines; [0132]
NaBr (42.8%, 43%, 46%) which is sodium bromide; [0133]
NaOCl (10%, 12.5%) which is sodium hypochlorite (CAS Registry #7681-52-9); [0134]
and mixtures thereof. [0135]
Suitable non-oxidizing biocides include, but are not limited to, [0136]
ADBAC Quat (10%, 40%(CAS Registry #68391-0-5), 80%)—alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, also known as “quat”; [0137]
ADBAC quat(15%)/TBTO (tributyl tin oxide 5%); [0138]
ADBAC(12.5%)/TBTO (2.5%), (ADBAC Quat/bis tributyl tin oxide) (CAS Registry #56-35-9); [0139]
carbamates (30%), of formula T[0140] ₂NCO₂H, where T₂is a C₁-C₁₀alkyl group;
copper sulfate (80%); [0141]
DBNPA (20%, 40%), which is 2,2-dibromo-3-nitrilopropionamide (CAS Registry #10222-01-2); [0142]
DDAC Quat (50%) which is didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride quat; [0143]
DPEEDBAC Quat (1%) which is (2-(2-p-(diisobutyl)phenoxy)ethoxy)ethyl dimethyl, dimethyl benzyl; [0144]
glutaraldehyde (15%, 45%), CAS Registry #111-30-8; [0145]
glutaraldehyde (14%)/ADBAC quat (2.5%); [0146]
HHTHT—hexahydro-1,3,5-tris (2-hydroxyethyl)-5-triazine (78.5%); [0147]
isothiazolones (1.5%, 5.6%)—a mixture of 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazoline-3-one (CAS Registry #26172-55-4) and 2-methyl;-4-isothiazoline-3-one (CAS Registry #2682-20-4); [0148]
MBT (10%)—methylene bis thiocyanate; [0149]
polyquat (20%, 60%), a polymeric quaternary compound; polyamines and salts thereof—polymeric amine compounds; [0150]
terbutylazine (4%, 44.7%)—2-(tert-butylamino)-4-chloro-6-ethylamino-5-triazine (CAS Registry #5915-41-3); [0151]
TMTT (24%)—tetramethylthiuram disulfide; [0152]
and mixtures thereof. [0153]
Other types of biocontrol agents include bio-dispersants, bio-detergents, chaotropic agents, surfactants, chelating agents, enzymatic cleaners, and other chemicals that kill bacteria or interfere with bacterial and EPS attachment and bacteria colonization processes. [0154]
Biocontrol methods, such as mechanical means to disrupt biofilm integrity including ultrasound, electric fields, air backwashes, etc. can also be used. [0155]
It has been found that all of the fluorogenic reagents suitable for use in the instant claimed invention are susceptible to degradation of varying degrees in the presence of oxidizing biocides. When the method of the instant claimed invention is used in an industrial water system where these oxidizing biocides are present it is important to add the fluorogenic reagent to the industrial water system at a point that is as far as possible away from the point where the oxidizing biocide is added to the industrial water system. Even when the fluorogenic reagent and the oxidizing biocide are added to the industrial water system at points as far apart as possible it is known that the oxidizing biocide will quench the fluorescent signal of both the fluorogenic reagent and the reacted fluorogenic reagent. The quenched fluorescent signals cannot accurately reflect the current status of the microbiological activity in the industrial water system. [0156]
Because membrane systems have very short holding times, the interference of biocontrol agents, specifically oxidizing biocide biocontrol agents with the fluorogenic agent is not expected to pose any problems in most practical applications. This will be true as long as the biocontrol agent is not applied during the introduction of the fluorogenic agent. In practice, the biocontrol agent may be added intermittently, and thus avoid direct contact with the fluorogenic agent. [0157]
Although membrane separation systems are often employed for the purification of water, or the processing of aqueous streams, the systems of the present invention are not limited to the use of an aqueous influent. In an embodiment, the influent may be another fluid, or a combination of water and another fluid. The operational principles of membrane separation systems and processes of the present invention are not so governed by the nature of the influent that the present invention could not be employed with influents otherwise suitable for water purification in a given membrane separation system. The descriptions of the invention above that refer to aqueous systems are applicable also to nonaqueous and mixed aqueous/nonaqueous systems. [0158]
The foregoing descriptions of the present invention at times refer specifically to aqueous influents and effluents, and the use of an aqueous system for describing a membrane filtration system and the operation of the present invention therein is exemplitive. A person of ordinary skill in the art, given the disclosures of the present specification, would be aware of how to apply the foregoing descriptions to nonaqueous membrane filtration systems. [0159]
It should be appreciated that the present invention is applicable to all industries that can employ membrane separation processes. For example, the different types of industrial water systems in which the method of the present invention can be applied generally include raw water processes, waste water processes, industrial water processes, municipal water treatment, food and beverage processes, pharmaceutical processes, electronic manufacturing, utility operations, pulp and paper processes, mining and mineral processes, transportation-related processes, textile processes, plating and metal working processes, laundry and cleaning processes, leather and tanning processes, and paint processes. [0160]
In particular, food and beverage processes can include, for example, dairy processes relating to the production of cream, low-fat milk, cheese, specialty milk products, protein isolates, lactose manufacture, whey, casein, fat separation, and brine recovery from salting cheese. Uses relating to the beverage industry including, for example, fruit juice clarification, concentration or deacidification, alcoholic beverage clarification, alcohol removal for low-alcohol content beverages, process water; and uses relating to sugar refining, vegetable protein processing, vegetable oil production/processing, wet milling of grain, animal processing (e.g., red meat, eggs, gelatin, fish and poultry), reclamation of wash waters, food processing waste and the like. [0161]
Examples of industrial water uses as applied to the present invention include, for example, boiler water production, process water purification and recycle/reuse, softening of raw water, treatment of cooling water blow-down, reclamation of water from papermaking processes, desalination of sea and brackish water for industrial and municipal use, drinking/raw/surface water purification including, for example, the use of membranes to exclude harmful micro-organisms from drinking water, polishing of softened water, membrane bio-reactors, mining and mineral process waters. [0162]
Examples of waste water treatment applications with respect to the inert tracer monitoring methods of the present invention include, for example, industrial waste water treatment, biological waste treatment systems, removal of heavy metal contaminants, polishing of tertiary effluent water, oily waste waters, transportation related processes (e.g., tank car wash water), textile waste (e.g., reagent, adhesives, size, oils for wool scouring, fabric finishing oils), plating and metal working waste, laundries, printing, leather and tanning, pulp and paper (e.g., color removal, concentration of dilute spent sulfite liquor, lignon recovery, recovery of paper coatings), chemicals (e.g., emulsions, latex, pigments, paints, chemical reaction by-products), and municipal waste water treatment (e.g., sewage, industrial waste). [0163]
Other examples of industrial applications of the present invention include, for example, semiconductor rinse water processes, production of water for injection, pharmaceutical water including water used in enzyme production/recovery and product formulation, and electro-coat paint processing. The present invention provides methods for monitoring and/or controlling biofouling in membrane separation systems that are capable of removing solutes and/or other impurities from feed streams, such as aqueous feed streams, which are suitable for use in a number of different industrial applications. More specifically, the methods of the present invention can monitor and/or control biofouling in membrane separation systems based on monitoring the activity of a fluorogenic agent(s) which has been added to the feed stream. In this regard, biofouling due to microbial growth during membrane separation can be evaluated with a high degree of selectivity, specificity and accuracy such that the performance of the membrane separation system can be effectively optimized. [0164]
Membrane separation systems and the monitoring thereof are unique because of the following considerations. [0165]
1. Systems are constructed with limited flexibility in terms of where monitoring may be done and/or where samples may be collected. Moreover, different types of fouling are usually located in specific segments of the membrane. For example, biofouling is usually predominant at the front end of the membrane system. [0166]
2. Membrane separation systems include a concentration polarization layer that forms as water is permeated through the barrier. This is not present in other water treatment systems, such as cooling water systems. [0167]
3. Because it is essential that the surface of the membrane remain clean, a relatively small amount of biofouling or fine precipitate can cause a significant performance loss. The performance loss in a membrane is, thus, more sensitive as compared to cooling water treatment. In this regard, performance loss in a membrane can occur at a film thickness appreciably lower than that required for heat transfer loss to occur in a cooling water system. Moreover, due to the small flow channels, the fouling, when not controlled or removed earlier, will continue to accelerate and it will be more difficult, if not impossible, to clean the membrane back to its original performance capability. A shortened membrane life is typically caused by this delay in detection of fouling. [0168]
4. The thin, semi-permeable films (polymeric, organic or inorganic) are sensitive to degradation by chemical species, including the chemicals secreted from the cell growth process and the cleaning chemicals. Products which contact membrane surfaces must be compatible with the membrane chemistry to avoid damaging the surface and thereby degrading performance. [0169]
5. Chemical treatments used in membrane systems must be demonstrated to be compatible with the membrane material prior to use. Damage from incompatible chemicals can result in immediate loss of performance and perhaps degradation of the membrane surface. Such immediate, irreversible damage from a chemical treatment is highly uncommon in cooling water systems. [0170]
6. In membrane separation systems, there is a continuous feed stream and at least one continuous discharge stream. The holding time of a membrane separation system is very short, i.e., on the order of a few seconds to a few minutes. [0171]

EXAMPLES

The following examples are intended to be illustrative of the present invention and to teach one of ordinary skill how to make and use the invention. These examples are not intended to limit the invention or its protection in any way. [0172]

Example 1

A test membrane system was used to demonstrate the monitoring of biofilm growth on a reverse osmosis membrane. The system was a test unit (SEPA CF membrane cell) manufactured by Osmonics. The unit included a new (i.e. clean) flat sheet of membrane measuring 3.5 inches×5 inches. Feed water at 360 psig was forced into the feed channel of the membrane housing at about 150 milliliters per minute (ml/min). As the feed water traveled across the membrane towards the reject exit channel, pressure forced the water molecules through the membrane into the permeate channel at about 15 ml/min. Exit water on the reject channel was about 360 psig. The pressure drop reported was the pressure at the feed channel minus the pressure at the reject channel. [0173]
The permeate flow as percentage of feed flow was 10%, which is typical for a reverse osmosis membrane element. The feed water had a conductivity of 3.9 milli-Siemens/cm. The permeate water had a conductivity of 0.2 milli-Siemens/cm. The operating temperature was 78° F. and the pH was 7. [0174]
In the test membrane system, a seeding of bacteria was performed and, thus, the microbial biofouling began almost immediately after seeding. The experiment was run for a period of about 90 to 170 hours after seeding. Variables affected by fouling (e.g., permeate flow, pressure differential between feed channel and reject channel, and permeate conductivity) were measured. The surface microbial enumeration of the membrane was performed at the end of the run. [0175]
To demonstrate the use of the fluorogenic agent, a solution of about 2 ppm (parts per million) resazurin was fed at 3 ml/min into the feed stream (which had a flow rate of about 150 ml/min) before it entered the membrane feed channel for a period of about five minutes. The concentration of the resazurin after mixing with the feed water was about 40 ppb (parts per billion). [0176]

The fluorescence measurement was conducted in the reject stream with an on-line fluorometer, Nalco TRASAR® 350, and with a bench-top fluorometer, Jobin Yvon Spectrometer Fluoro-MAX 3. The residence time of the resazurin chemical in the membrane system was on the order of about one minute. The fluorescence measurement reached a steady state generally in about three minutes after commencement of the resazurin feed. The 5-minute feeding and measurement of the fluorogenic agent was repeated periodically during the course of the experiment.

TABLE 1


					Microbial
				Permeate	enumeration
	TRASAR	Permeate	Pressure	conductivity	on
Time	350	flow	drop	(milli-	membrane*
(Hr)	(Ratio)	(ml/min)	(inch water)	Siemen/cm)	(cfu/cm²)

1	1.0	15	0.8	0.17	—
28	1.4	13	0.8	0.13	—
54	1.9	10	0.9	0.16	—
72	2.0	7	0.9	0.20	—
144	2.3	3	1.7	0.29	4 × 10⁸

[0178]

TABLE 2

TRASAR 350 Fluoro-MAX 3

Time 583 nm 634 nm 583 nm 634 nm

Hr Ratio Rf Rz Ratio Rf Rz

1 1.0 39 41 1.0 24300 23900

28 1.4 70 50 1.5 44100 29600

54 1.9 96 51 2.0 59600 29500

72 2.0 110 55 2.2 71600 33100

144 2.3 133 58 2.4 73200 30900
As shown above in Tables 1 and 2, the Ratio of the fluorescence of the reacted fluorogenic agent (e.g., resorufin (Rf) to the fluorescence of the fluorogenic agent (e.g., resazurin (Rz)) increased with microbial growth and accumulation during the course of the experiment. It should be appreciated that the values for Rf and Rz in Tables 1 and 2 represent an intensity of the fluorescence signal as measured which corresponds to an amount of the reacted fluorogenic agent and the fluorogenic agent. Furthermore, Tables 1 and 2 demonstrate the existence of a correlation between the Ratio and the membrane separation performance variables measured by permeate flow, pressure drop and permeate conductivity. [0179]

Example 2

A batch test was performed to quantify the reaction between microbial activity and resazurin, a fluorogenic agent. The test was conducted in a minimal medium solution containing 100 ppm glycerol, 7 grams/liter (g/L) K ₂HPO₄, 0.1 g/L MgSO₄.7H₂O, 1 g/L (NH₄)₂.SO₄and 0.5 g/L sodium citrate. A field deposit from a reverse osmosis membrane unit was inoculated in the medium and allowed to grow. The solution was then incubated at 30° C. in a flask shaker at a speed of about 200 revolutions per minute (rpm). Aliquots of sample were collected using a sterile pipette at different time intervals. Samples collected from each time point were analyzed for optical density, microbial enumeration (at 8, 12, and 24 hr) and allowed to react with resazurin. Optical density was performed with absorbance at 600 nm using a Cintra Spectrophotometer. Microbial enumeration was performed with spread plate on TGE agar after eight serial dilutions of 1:10 with a sterile phosphate buffer solution. In resazurin reaction tests, samples were dosed with 50 ppb of resazurin. Aliquots of a 3.5 ml sample were retrieved at reaction times of 1, 2, 3, 5, 10 minutes and then filtered through a 0.22 micrometer sterile syringe filter to stop the reaction. These reacted samples were subsequently measured for fluorescence of resazurin and resorufin. Response of resazurin was judged by the fluorescence ratio of resorufin to resazurin. Fluorescence measurements were conducted at excitation wavelength 550 nm and emission wavelengths 583 nm and 634 nm, using a Horiba Jobin Yvon fluorometer (model FluoroMax-3) with slit width 2.5 nm (excitation) and 2.5 nm (emission). resazurin had a peak fluorescence at 634 nm and resorufin at 583 nm.

TABLE 3


Microbial
Growth		Optical
with	Fluorescence ratio of resorufin to resazurin at	density	Viable plate
Time	each reaction time for each sample (Intensity)	(absorbance)	count

(hour)	t = 1 min	t = 2 min	t = 3 min	t = 5 min	t = 10 min	600 nm	cfu/ml

0	1.00	0.93	0.94	0.89	1.00	0.0001
4	1.29	1.42	0.95	0.94	1.31
6	1.03	1.27	0.96	1.20	0.97	0.0020
8	1.17	1.14	1.17	1.18	1.29	0.0094	3.10E+06
10	1.25	1.20	1.30	1.33	1.29	0.0162
12	1.55	1.52	1.61	1.58	1.79	0.0629	3.90E+07
24	2.81	3.11	3.22	3.50	3.75	0.4261	2.40E+09

As demonstrated in Table 3, the fluorescence ratio of resorufin to resazurin increased as microbial growth increased as indicated by optical density (absorbance 600 nm) and viable cell count. The ratio also increased as reaction time between the sample and resazurin increased, especially when microbial density was about 10[0181] ⁶cfu/ml or above. The results show that resazurin is responsive to the microbial growth of a membrane biofilm.

Example 3

A batch test was performed to quantify the relationship between a resazurin dose concentration and its response to different levels of microbial density during microbial growth. The test was conducted in a minimal medium solution inoculated with field reverse osmosis (RO) membrane deposit as described in Example 2. The solution was incubated at 30° C. in a flask shaker at a speed of 200 rpm. Aliquots of sample were collected using a sterile pipette at different time intervals. Samples collected from each time point were analyzed for optical density, microbial enumeration (except time zero and 2 hours) and allowed to react with resazurin. Optical density and microbial enumeration were performed using the same methods described in Example 2. In the resazurin reaction test, samples were dosed with 50 ppb, 500 ppb and 5000 ppb of resazurin. Aliquots of 3.5 ml samples were retrieved after 1 minute reaction. These reacted samples were subsequently measured for fluorescence of resazurin and resorufin. The response of resazurin was evaluated by the fluorescence ratio of resorufin to resazurin. The method of fluorescence measurements is described above in Example 2.

TABLE 4


Microbial	Fluorescence ratio of	Relative change
growth	resorufin to resazurin at	of ratio (Rf/Rzt −	Optical density	Viable plate
time	each dose concentration	Rf/Rzo)	(Absorbance)	count

(hr)	0.05 ppm	0.5 ppm	5 ppm	50 ppb	OD600	cfu/ml

0	0.878	0.761	0.400		0.0013
2	1.107	0.766	0.413	0.229	0.0013
4	1.241	0.927	0.445	0.363	0.0013	1.40E+05
6	1.217	0.892	0.456	0.338	0.0112	2.10E+05
8	1.147	0.928	0.456	0.269	0.0029	4.70E+05
10	1.244	0.930	0.476	0.366	0.0052	2.30E+06
14	1.346	0.921	0.433	0.468	0.0223	1.90E+07
25	2.560	1.520	0.676	1.682	0.2185	2.50E+09

[0183]

TABLE 5

Fluorescence ratio of Rf/Rz at

different microbial cell density

Log Resazurin Rz dose 2.00E+06 2.00E+07 3.00E+09

dose (ppb) (ppb) (cfu/ml)

1.70 50 1.24 1.35 2.56

2.70 500 0.93 0.92 1.52

3.70 5000 0.48 0.43 0.68

Linear regression

Slope −0.38 −0.46 −0.94

Intercept 1.92 2.13 4.13

RSQ 0.9890449 0.99844 0.996395936
As indicated in Tables 4 and 5, the fluorescence ratio of resorufin to resazurin increased as the resazurin dose decreased at each microbial cell density. Furthermore, the dose of resazurin concentration had a logarithm linear relationship with the fluorescence ratio response in the sample. The change of the ratio also indicated 50 ppb of resazurin was more sensitive to microbial growth than 500 ppb and 5000 ppb of resazurin. The fluorescence ratio of resorufin to resazurin was an order of magnitude more sensitive than the optical density measurement. [0184]

Example 4

This test evaluated the correlation between fluorescence response of resazurin and biofilm (sessile cells) on a reverse osmosis (RO) membrane. The test was performed in a 350 ml fed-batch flow cell system. The system was fed with a minimal medium and inoculated with a field RO deposit as described in Example 2. The flow cell was operated at a hydraulic residence time of about 14 hr. A recirculation pump provided mixing to the system at 195 ml/min. RO membrane coupons of 3 inch×1 inch were submerged in the flow cell. [0185]
Membrane samples were taken periodically for sessile microbial enumeration and resazurin response test. A membrane sample was soaked in a sterile phosphate buffer solution (PBS) in a 45 ml test tube for a 5 minute sonication. An aliquot of bulk from the sonicated sample was then diluted with sterile PBS in eight serial dilutions of 1:10 before plated on TGE agar plate. The viable plate count represented sessile cell density from the RO membrane. Resazurin of 40 ppb was dosed into the sonicated membrane sample in PBS for one minute. An aliquot of sample was then taken to check for fluorescence at the same conditions as described in Example 2. The measured fluorescence ratio of resorufin to resazurin from the sonicated membrane sample represented response to microbial flocs. Another membrane sample was retrieved and soaked in 45 ml PBS in a test tube. The sample was dosed with 40 ppb resazurin for one minute. An aliquot of sample was then collected to measure fluorescence at the same conditions as described in Example 2. The fluorescence ratio associated with this sample represented response to intact biofilms on the RO membrane. [0186]

TABLE 6

Sessile cell density on Ratio of

Elapsed time RO membrane resorufin to

(hr) Log (cfu/cm²) resazurin

1 3.76 0.824

24 7.41

48 7.43 0.888

72 7.73 0.888

96 9.09 0.992

168 9.11 0.955

174 8.37 1.051
[0187]

TABLE 7

Sessile cell Ratio of

density on resorufin to

RO membrane resazurin

Log (cfu/cm2) biofilm flocs

7.43 0.888 0.993

7.73 0.888 1.115

9.09 0.992 1.031
Table 6 illustrates that response of resazurin increases as sessile cell density from RO membrane increases. Table 7 further demonstrates that the response of resazurin is greater in flocs than intact biofilms. [0188]
While the present invention is described above in connection with preferred or illustrative embodiments, these embodiments are not intended to be exhaustive or limiting of the invention. Rather, the invention is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents included within its spirit and scope, as defined by the appended claims. [0189]

Claims

1. A method of monitoring biofouling in a membrane separation system including a membrane capable of separating a feed stream into at least a first stream, known as the permeate, and a second stream, known as the concentrate, comprising the steps of:

(i) capable of traveling through the membrane into the permeate stream, or

(ii) not capable of passing through the membrane into the permeate stream;

(b) adding the fluorogenic agent to the feed stream;

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the membrane separation system is selected from the group consisting of a cross-flow membrane separation system and a dead-end flow membrane separation system.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the membrane separation system is selected from the group consisting of reverse osmosis, nanofiltration, ultrafiltration, microfiltration, electrodialysis, electrodeionization, pervaporation, membrane extraction, membrane distillation, membrane stripping, membrane aeration and combinations thereof.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the fluorogenic agent is selected from the group consisting of:

acetic acid ester of pyrene 3,6,8-trisulfonic acid;

3-carboxyumbelliferyl β-D-galactopyranoside;

3-carboxyumbelliferyl β-D-glucuronide;

9H-(1,3-dichloro-9,0-dimethylacridine-2-one-7-yl), D-glucuronide;

resorufin β-D-galactopyranoside;

resazurin;

resazurin, sodium salt;

4-methylumbelliferyl phosphate;

and combinations thereof.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the fluorogenic agent is resazurin.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the fluorogenic agent is added into the feed stream in an amount from about 5 ppt to 500 ppm.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein biofouling is monitored by determining a ratio of the fluorescent signal of the reacted fluorogenic agent to the fluorescent signal of the fluorogenic agent in at least one of the permeate and concentrate.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

(g) determining the optimal amount of biocontrol treatment based on the change in the signal of the fluorogenic agent, or the reacted fluorogenic agent, or a combination of both signals measured; and

(h) applying the optimal amount of biocontrol treatment to the membrane separation system.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the biocontrol treatment is selected from the group consisting of biocides, biocontrol agents, biocontrol methods and combinations thereof.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the biocides are selected from the group consisting of oxidizing biocides, non-oxidizing biocides and combinations thereof.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein the biocontrol treatment is selected from the group consisting of bio-dispersants, bio-detergents, chaotropic agents, surfactants, chelating agents, enzymatic cleaners and combinations thereof.

12. The method of claim 8 wherein the biocontrol treatment is selected from the group consisting of ultrasound, electric fields and air backwashes.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the microorganisms are selected from the group consisting of planktonic microorganisms, sessile microorganisms and combinations thereof.

14. The method of claim 1 in which the feed stream is aqueous.

15. The method of claim 1 in which the feed stream is non-aqueous.

16. A method of monitoring biofouling in a membrane separation system including a membrane capable of separating a feed stream into at least a first stream, known as the permeate, and a second stream, known as the concentrate, comprising the steps of:

(i) capable of traveling through the membrane into the permeate stream, or

(ii) not capable of passing through the membrane into the permeate stream;

(i) capable of traveling through the membrane into the permeate stream, or

(ii) not capable of passing through the membrane into the permeate stream;

(c) adding the fluorogenic agent and the inert fluorescent tracer to the feed stream, wherein said fluorogenic agent and said inert fluorescent tracer are added in a known proportion to each other;

(d) providing one or more fluorometers to detect the fluorescent signal of the fluorogenic agent and the fluorescent signal of the inert fluorescent tracer in at least one of the feed stream or the concentrate or optionally the permeate;

(e) allowing the fluorogenic agent to react with at least one microorganism within the membrane separation system to form a reacted fluorogenic agent;

(f) using said one or more fluorometers to detect the fluorescent signal of at least one of the fluorogenic agent and the reacted fluorogenic agent and the inert fluorescent tracer in at least one of the feed stream and the concentrate and optionally the permeate; and

(g) using the fluorescent signal of at least one of the fluorogenic agent and the reacted fluorogenic agent and the inert fluorescent tracer to monitor biofouling in the membrane separation system based on the change in the fluorescent signal of the fluorogenic agent, or the reacted fluorogenic agent or a combination of both fluorescent signals relative to the fluorescent signal of the inert fluorescent tracer.

17. The method of claim 16 in which said inert tracer is selected from the group consisting of the mono-, di- and tri-sulfonated naphthalenes, including their known water-soluble salts; the sulfonated derivatives of pyrene, including 1,3,6,8-pyrenetetrasulfonic acid, along with the known water-soluble salts of all of these materials and 1H-Benz(de) isoquinoline-5-sulfonic acid, 6-amino-2,3-dihydro-1,3-dioxo-2-p-tolyl-, monosodium salt (8CI)).

18. The method of claim 16 wherein the fluorogenic agent is selected from the group consisting of:

acetic acid ester of pyrene 3,6,8-trisulfonic acid;

3-carboxyumbelliferyl β-D-galactopyranoside;

3-carboxyumbelliferyl β-D-glucuronide;

9H-(1,3-dichloro-9,0-dimethylacridine-2-one-7-yl), D-glucuronide;

resorufin β-D-galactopyranoside;

resazurin;

resazurin, sodium salt;

4-methylumbelliferyl phosphate;

and combinations thereof.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein the fluorogenic agent is resazurin.

20. The method of claim 16 further comprising the steps of:

(h) determining the optimal amount of biocontrol treatment based on the change in the signal of the fluorogenic agent, or the reacted fluorogenic agent, or a combination of both signals measured; and

(i) applying the optimal amount of biocontrol treatment to the membrane separation system.