Seawater RO technology has evolved into mature desalination process with wellrndefined system design guidelines. Large capacity, in the range of 100 MGD (400,000rnm3/day) are being built and are in operation. The issues that are still in developmentrnstage are prevention and control of membrane biofouling. Although, large number ofrnSWRO systems operates successfully, some experience significant membrane fouling,rnwhich results in loss of production capacity and increased operating cost. The presentrnlack of well defined indicators of raw and feed water quality hinders efforts to establishrndesign criteria for effective feed water pretreatment approach.rnBetter understanding of fouling phenomena would help to develop effective preventionrnand membrane performance recovery.rnCategories of membrane fouling, more common in seawater applications are listed inrnTable 1.
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