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Abstract
Ii1this paper we identify a new technology to provide online, accurate, in-situ, reliable antiscalant dosing monitoring
for any reverse osmosis system.
0011-9164/03/$- See fi'ont matter © 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved
PII: $001 l - 9 1 6 4 ( 0 3 ) 0 0 4 0 0 - 4
210 E.tf. Kelle Zeiher et al. / Desalination 157 (2003) 209 216
3. Fluorescent molecule (TRASAR ®) technology operation ensured that the chemical concerns were
fully satisfied and that the TRASAR molecule is
Fluorescence is a property of certain organic
compatible with the antiscalant and the membrane
molecules in which the molecule adsorbs light at
materials of construction. Extensive use of the
one frequency and emits light at a different
TRASAR molecules (over the past l 5 years) in
frequency. When such molecules are combined
boiler and cooling water systems have demon-
with antiscalant chemicals in a known proportion,
strated that it is environmentally acceptable and
they act as a "bar code" on the antiscalant, allow-
very cost effective.
ing the concentration ofantiscalant to be monitored
via simple, on-line equipment. The molecules
typically chosen for fluorescent tracing can be
detected at very low concentrations, typically on 4. Trial site 1 report
the order of ppb or ppt in systems. In addition,
This is an industrial system producing ultra-
they are chosen to fluoresce at wavelengths not
pure water for high-pressure steam boilers. Addi-
visible to the human eye. TRASAR technology
tional treatment is mixed bed ion exchange (IX).
is based on the use of a fluorescent molecule that
The system (Fig. 4) is configured with either one
provides a clear and identifiable fluorescence that
of the RO units or both RO units operating to meet
can be separated from the natural background.
the demand for treated water. Each unit produces
Fig. 3 shows a simplified diagram of the fluoro-
approximately 20 m~/h of permeate water. There
meter used to detect the presence of the TRASAR
had been reliability problems due to fouling and
molecule on line.
scaling, despite use of proprietary antiscalants.
When adding anything to a membrane anti-
The initial troubleshooting investigation began
scalant, several factors must be considered. The
with substituting the current antiscalant with
material must be:
TRASAR antiscalant. Timed drawn down mea-
• Compatible with the membrane surface
surements of antiscalant concentration indicated
• Compatible with the antiscalant chemistry
that the dose was constant and correct for the
• Environmentally acceptable
system. The continuous real-time results, however,
• Cost effective
showed a different story and provided the key
The laboratory studies based on industry stan- diagnostic aid. Tracking of the feedwater anti-
dard tests [11-13] such as soak tests and field scalant dose showed a much more consistent dose
t Detector
Z 2 ....... , d
Excitation
Filter
Emission Filter
~tbe
~ Secondary RO
Permeate to boiler
Cartridge H.P. feedwater tank
filter Pump
Well water source 9,'. i ~ ~ O n Primary
> RO
Feedwater
sample point centrate
q/water sample
Chemical point
injection
point Fig. 4. System overview trial site 1.
50
45
_.~ 4 0
o~
¢o
35
30
E
~_ 25
=-
.o_ 20
o~15
810
5
o o o o o ~:~ o o o
Fig. 5. TRASAR'~' monitoring demon-
Time, minutes strates best operating conditions.
ofantiscalant when two RO units were operating antiscalant dose. Further improvements were
then when only one unit was operating (Fig. 5). made by using automatic control to dose the
The feedwater for the RO system was pumped antiscalant. An automatic controller, installed on
from a borehole. The borehole pump was found the TRASAR detector, was activated and used to
to be stopping and starting very frequently when automatically change the chemical feed pump
only one RO was running. The hydraulic shock stroking rate so that the appropriate amount of
from pump starting and stopping caused erratic chemical was delivered at all times. Using the
feeding of the antiscalant from the dosing line, automatic control, the antiscalant dose was within
giving intermittent mini slug-doses and the wide 4-0.5 ppm of the target dose at all times (Fig. 6).
fluctuation. The problem was uncovered with the The results show that the extremes of under-
use of traced antiscalant and corrected by recom- dosing and overdosing were removed, which means
mending that both RO units operate simulta- that the RO membranes were more effectively
neously to more effectively use the water produced protected against scaling and fouling.
by the borehole pump. The long-term results of this trial were:
Using the preferred operating protocol, chemical • Operating costs reduced
dose still varied by about 4-2 ppm of the target • RO system now reliable
214 E.H. Kelle Zeiher et al. /Desalination 157 (2003) 209 216
25
The customer was seeking to improve control
of the RO system and supported the r e m o t e
20 ¸ monitoring possibilities offered by T R A S A R
Technology.
o Traced antiscalant was used to treat the system.
15;
The product was monitored by means o f a fluoro-
meter that measured the dosage of antiscalant in
the concentrate line o f the RO. A controller
[3_
B-
automatically adjusted the dosing pump stroke
5 frequency to assure a continuous dose of 12 ppm
of antiscalant in the concentrate stream.
All RO system parameters, including the anti-
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200
scalant concentration, calculated percent recovery,
Consecutive minutes of operation percent rejection and normalised permeate flow,
Fig. 6. Effect ofTRASAR"' control. were logged and recorded using advanced moni-
toring capabilities [14]. During the early stages
of the trial, a data download from the performance
• The maintenance supervisor reported that"The
monitor indicated that the dosage level o f anti-
system has been running very smoothly which
sealant had fallen below the 12 ppm set point in
we have not experienced for quite a while."
the concentrate stream. Prolonged operation without
Overall, the expected cost savings for this system antiscalant, or with an inadequate dose o f anti-
is about 6 140,000-170,000 per year depending scalant, could lead to severe fouling conditions. The
on labour costs. This is t~ 780-950/1000 m 3. customer was alerted, and inspection of the chemical
feed system revealed a crimped feed line. Although
the pump was working at full speed, very little
5. Trial site 2 report
chemical was able to reach the RO feedwater due
The second trial site also used RO product to the blocked line. The situation was corrected
water for feed to high-pressure steam boiler and chemical treatment reached the appropriate
(Fig. 7). Following the primary RO, the water was dosage within minutes (Fig. 8). The system has
further treated by passing the permeate through a now been fully automated to provide alarms at a
second RO to produce ultrapure water for the local control room for the direct attention o f the
boilers. site engineering staff.
Antiscalant
Permeate to Post-
Cv~tYer~ ~ ~ - ~ © , Treatment and
Boilers
Bisulfite
~, Sample Point
Concentrate to
Cooling Towers Fig. 7. Systemoverviewtrial site 2.
E.H. Kelle Zeiher et al. /Desalination 157 (2003) 209-216 215
5O
..... Conc
45 ~Set Point
+ Control Limits
4o
_ _ 3. Crimped
35 1. ChemicalFeed Falls Below Set
Feed Line
Point, Indicating Problems Repaired,
30
- Control
,<
ft.
25
15
/ 2. ControllerTries to Bring
Feed Back to Set Point
Value
Reestablished
10
t
.......... ii:
i i:i ....
5
0 • i r --
25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75
Time
6. Conclusions References
• Effective monitoring and control is provided [1] A variety of courses are offered by David H. Paul,
by the T R A S A R technology. Inc, including (a) Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment,
• Costs can be minimised with timely and accurate Short Course, July 24, 2002, Chicago; (b) Scaling
Fouling & Chemical Cleaning, Short Course, July 24,
alarms to warn o f low antiscalant dosing
2002, Chicago; (c) Membrane Training Camp, June
° The use o f R O T R A S A R h a s demonstrated that
15-19, 1998, San Diego.
the automated monitoring and control o f anti- [2] Relevant standard from ASTM International include:
scalant dosing works effectively and effici- (a) ASTM D4194-95, 01-Ju1-1995 Standard Test
ently. Methods for Operating Characteristics of Reverse
Osmosis Devices; (b) ASTM D4516-00, 01-Aug-2000
Antiscalant dosing is cost effective, environ-
Standard Practice for Standardizing Reverse Osmosis
mentally acceptable, and safe. Performance Data; (c) ASTM D4692-87, 01-Aug-
Automated antiscalant monitoring and control 1987 Standard Practice for Calculation and
eliminates a major drawback to antiscalant use: Adjustment of Sulfate Scaling Salts (CaSO4, SrSO4,
the fear o f overdosing or underdosing. In addition, and BaSO4) for Reverse Osmosis; (d) ASTM D4472-
remote m o n i t o r i n g and control o f antiscalant 89, 01-Nov-1989 Standard Guide for Recordkeeping
dosages is now possible. for Reverse Osmosis Systems; (e) ASTM D4195-88,
Taken together, these advantages make 01-Nov-1988 Standard Guide for Water Analysis for
Reverse Osmosis Application; (f) ASTM D4993-89,
antiscalant use a clear choice for consistent, safe, 01-Nov-1989 Standard Practice for Calculation and
effective scale control in RO plants. Adjustment of Silica (SiO2) Scaling for Reverse
216 E.H. Kelle Zeiher et al. /Desalination 157 (2003) 209-216
Osmosis; (g) ASTM D4692-01, 01-Nov-2001 Stan- [6] F. Max and E.G Darton, Statistical review of 150
dard Practice for Calculation and Adjustment of membrane autopsies, 62nd Annual International Water
Sulfate Scaling Salts (CaSO4, SrSO4, and BaSO4) for Conference, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, October
Reverse Osmosis and Nanofiltration; (h) ASTM 21-25, 2001.
D3739-94, 01 -Jul-1994 Standard Practice for Calcula- [7] 13. Andrews and J. Mazur, The impact of eliminating
tion and Adjustment of the Langelier Saturation Index softeners as pretreatment for reverse osmosis systems.
for Reverse Osmosis; (i) ASTM D4582-91, 01-Jul- Proe. 61st Annual International Water Conference,
1991 Standard Practice for Calculation and Adjust- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. October 22-26, 2000.
ment of the Stiffand Davis Stability Index for Reverse [8] W. Byrne, Reverse Osmosis. A Practical Guide for
Osmosis; (j) ASTM D3923-94, 01-Ju1-1994 Standard Industrial Users, 2nd ed., Tall Oaks Publishing Inc.,
Practices for Detecting Leaks in Reverse Osmosis 2002, p. 179.
Devices; (k) ASTM D4516-00, 0l-Aug-2000 Stan- [9] W. Byme, p. 358 cites several examples of analytical
dard Practice for Standardizing Reverse Osmosis methods for determining scale inhibitor concentra-
Performance Data; (1) ASTM D4189-95 01,-Nov- tions. Most of these methods involve multi-step
1995 Standard Test Method for Silt Density Index laboratory manipulations, making them poorly suited
(SDI) of Water; (m) ASTM D4194-95 01,-Ju1-1995 for field applications.
Standard Test Methods for Operating Characteristics [10] M.J. Chmelovski, Fluorescent-traced chemical prog-
of Reverse Osmosis Devices. rams not just a feed and control program, but a
[3] D.C. 13randt, G.F. Leitner and W.E. Leitner, Reverse problem-solving tool, 58th Annual International Water
osmosis membranes: state &the art. Reverse Osmosis Conference, November 3-5, 1997.
Membrane Technology, Water Chemistry, and [11] C.A. Buckley, C.J. Brouckaert and C.A. Kerr, RO
Industrial Applications, Z. Amjad, (Ed.), Chapman & applications in brackish water desalination and in the
Hall, New York, 1993, p. 18. treatment of industrial effluents. Reverse Osmosis
[4] T. Matsuura, Future trends in reverse osmosis mem- Membrane Technology, Water Chemistry, and Indust-
brane research and technology. Reverse Osmosis rial Applications, Z. Amjad, (Ed.), Chapman & Hall,
Membrane Technology, Water Chemistry, and New York, 1993, p. 285-290.
Industrial Applications, Z. Amjad, (Ed.), Chapman & [12] FilmTec Corporation memorandum, Compatibility
Hall, New York 1993, p. 58. Approval of Antiscalant.
[5] A. Buckley, C.J. Brouckaert and C.A. Kerr, RO appli- [13] Hydranautics Corporation, Technical Service Bulletin,
cations in brackish water desalination and in the treat- TSBII5.03, May 1998.
ment of industrial effluents. Reverse Osmosis Mem- [14] The RO-Eye TM Performance Monitor, available from
brane Technology, Water Chemistry, and industrial Ondeo Nalco, was used to track RO perforlnance.
Applications, Z. Amjad, (Ed.), Chapman & Hall, New [15] PermaCare RO 12 software, Ondeo Nalco, May 2002.
York 1993, p. 281.