No.

1 September 2003

Silt Density Index (SDI) : Measurement And

Significance In Membrane Applications
epleting supplies of fresh water, ground water contamination and the rising cost of
D water have compelled industries to increasingly turn to desalination of brackish/sea
water. The recent years have also witnessed a phenomenal increase in water recycle
plants with a terminal reverse osmosis (RO) system for removal of dissolved solids. Water is
recovered from treated industrial effluent as well as secondary treated municipal sewage.
The presence of finely divided particles in feed water to an RO system can cause serious
problems; as they are too small to be retained by conventional pretreatment systems they
find their way to the RO membrane.
The function of an RO membrane is to concentrate dissolved solids on one side of the
membrane and allow water molecules to permeate through the other side. Suspended,
colloidal particles are larger than dissolved solids and are also rejected by the membrane.
These fine undissolved suspended particles tend to settle on the surface and, in the process,
foul the membrane. The net result is an increase in feed pressure, reduced flow and high
conductivity of permeate. Spiral wound and hollow fine fibre membranes are the most
vulnerable and once fouled, cleaning of the element is often difficult.

Silt Density Index Measuring SDI

Silt Density Index (SDI) is an empirical test Apparatus
developed for measuring the rate of fouling of
The SDI assembly is schematically described in
nano filtration (NF) or RO membranes. It
Figure 1. All wetted parts should be made of
represents the potential for fouling of the
high quality
membranes by finely suspended particles
stainless steel or
present in feed water to the membranes.
plastic to
There is no direct correlation between turbidity prevent
of a water stream and its SDI. Experience has contamination
shown that water with a very low turbidity by corrosive
(< 1 NTU) may have a high SDI value. Deep products. Do
tubewell waters, as a rule, are free from not use reactive
suspended solids and exhibit a low turbidity materials such
value/SDI. On the other hand, surface water as carbon steel
invariably contains high levels of fine or cast iron.
suspended solids and therefore exhibits high Suitable filter
turbidity as well as high SDI, calling for holders,
extensive pretreatment to achieve acceptable designed to
values of SDI and turbidity in feed water. withstand an
operating
The measurement, its significance and the gauge pressure
interpretation of the results of SDI tests are of 350 kPa (50
described below. The equipment used and the psi) can be
procedure (ASTM standard test method obtained from
D 4189-82) are also given. suppliers of
membrane
filters.
Other components required for the test are as
follows:
• Membrane filter, 47 mm in diameter,
gridded, and with a mean pore size in the
range of 0.45 ± 0.02 micron, inclusive.
Use only filters that are packaged in the
same orientation.
• Graduated cylinder, 500 ml capacity.
• Stop watch, graduated in hundredths of a
minute.
• Thermometer, liquid-in-glass, suitable for
measuring the temperature of the water
sample, capable of being read within
± 1°C.
Test Procedure
The procedure is based on the time required to
filter a volume of feed water through a 0.45
micron filter paper at a feed pressure of 30
psig at start and then after 5, 10 and 15
minutes of continuous filtration. If the test is
limited to only 5 to 10 minutes reading, due to
the plugging of the filter pad one can expect a
high level of plugging of the membrane.
1. Assemble the test equipment as per Figure 1.
2. Locate a sample tap on the feed water
piping and install the test equipment.
3. Adjust the pressure regulator to 30 psi with
a filter pad installed. Use a fresh filter for
the actual test.
4. Take the temperature of the feed water. The
temperature should not vary more than ±
1°C between the start and end of the test.
5. Bleed any entrained air in the filter holder.
Depending on the model of the filter holder,
either open the bleed valve, or loosen the
filter holder while cracking the ball valve.
Then close the bleed valve or filter holder.
6. Place the 500 ml graduated cylinder under
the filter to measure the amount of water
that passes through the filter.
7. Open the ball valve fully, and measure the
time required to collect 100 ml and 500 ml
from the time the ball valve is opened.
Record these times, leaving the valve open
and letting the flow continue.
8. After 5 minutes, repeat the time
measurement required to collect 100 ml
and 500 ml samples. Repeat again after
10 and 15 minute intervals.
9. If the time required to obtain a 100 ml
sample is greater than 60 seconds,
pluggage will be about 90%, and it is not
necessary to continue the test.
10. Measure the water temperature again to
ensure that it did not vary by more than
1°C from the initial temperature.
11. After completing the test and disconnecting
the apparatus, the filter paper may be
saved in a plastic bag for future reference.
Note: For best results
• Use dull tweezers when positioning the
filter to prevent puncturing the filter.
• Ensure that the O-ring is clean and in
good condition, and is properly
positioned.
• Avoid touching the filter with fingers.
• Flush the apparatus to remove any
contaminants that may be in it.
Calculations
SDI = P30 /Tt = 100*(1- Ti/Tf) / Tt
Where SDI = Silt Density Index
P30 = % pluggage at 30 psi feed
pressure **
Tt = Total test time in minutes (usually 15
minutes, but may be less if 75%
pluggage** occurs in less than 15
minutes).
Ti = Initial time in seconds required to
obtain sample.
Tf = Time required to obtain sample after
15 minutes (or less).
Note:
* Time to collect 500 ml should be
approximately 5 times greater than the
time to collect 100 ml. If 500 ml
collection time is much greater than 5X,
SDI should be calculated using 100 ml
collection times.
** For accurate SDI measurements, P30
should not exceed 70%. If P30 exceeds
this value, re-run the test and obtain Tf
at a shorter time (T).
Limitations
The test, although popular, is at best an
empirical method and its interpretation calls for
some expertise on the part of the person
carrying out the test.
Feed pressure must always be maintained at
around 30 psi as any variation in feed
pressure during the run can lead to erroneous
results.
SDI may vary with the make of the filter used;
hence it is suggested that filter papers of the
same make be used for each study.
SDI is also a function of the water temperature
and values obtained at different temperatures
may not necessarily be comparable.
Temperature should not vary more than ±1% C
between the start and end of the run.

Interpretation of Results
SDI Value
1. Value higher than 6: Indicative of very high potential for fouling. Do not attempt to continue
passing the feed through the membranes till the pretreatment is set right and a value lower
than 4 is obtained.
2. SDI Profile: SDI reduction across various equipment like multigrade (MGF), activated (ACF)
and cartridge (CF) filter should be checked regularly. The following conclusions can be drawn
from the results:
i) MGF: SDI reduction across the MGF should be maximum. If no significant SDI reduction is
seen across the MGF, this indicates that the size of the particles in the raw water is less than
25 µm. Hence, coagulants/flocculants should be added to increase the size of the particles
and improve the removal efficiency of the MGF.
ii) CF: SDI reduction across the CF should be minimum. If a significant reduction in SDI is
seen across the CF, it will foul very frequently. The remedy is to improve the particle removal
efficiency of the MGF.
3. Colour of filter paper used for SDI test:
i Slightly yellow The possible problem could be presence of iron and/or
organics in feed water. Check the source for presence of iron
and organics in the water source. Also check for possible
corrosion in the lines.
ii Reddish brown Positive indication of presence of iron in feed water. Take
corrective steps for removal of iron.
iii Gray Indicates presence of carbon fines. Check the carbon filter,
remove carbon fines.
iv Particles present on Check the cartridge filter and the filter elements.
the filter paper
v Dark Black If the colour dissolves in the acid, it indicates the presence of
manganese in the water.

Significance and Use of SDI

1. SDI can serve as a useful indication of the 2. SDI can be used to ascertain the
fouling potential due to undissolved particles effectiveness of the pretreatment processes
of the feed water to NF and RO like clarification and filtration.
membranes.
Pretreatment Options The following graph shows SDI reduction
through ultrafiltration:
Membrane manufacturers and system
designers insist that the value for SDI (15 min)
of feed water to membranes should be as low 6-

as possible and in any case should not exceed 5-

4.0, to minimise fouling of membranes. The
index is also used to evaluate the effectiveness 4-

of various pretreatment processes like

SDI15
3-
clarification and filtration.
2-
Experience has shown that conventional
1-
pretreatment plants using clarification and
filtration through granular media are often 0-
0.0 10.0 20.0 30.0 40.0 50.0 60.0 70.0 80.0 90.0 100.0
inadequate in reducing the turbidity and SDI of Percentage of SDI measurements 90.1% 98.4%
feed water streams. Industries now rely more
on the use of membrane processes like Figure 2
ultrafiltration especially when dealing with
industrial effluents or secondary treated • SDI reduction of less than 3.0 is achieved in
municipal sewage as feed water to RO systems 98.4% of the cases.
for water recovery. Ultrafiltration systems have • SDI reduction of less than 2.0 is achieved in
already replaced the conventional pretreatment 90% of the cases.
plants at several industrial installations like
Madras Fertilisers Ltd., Chennai and Sundaram
Fasteners, Madurai.

ilt Density Index has come to stay as one of the most important feed water limiting
S parameters that must be considered both during design and commissioning of water
treatment/ recycle plants based on either RO or NF membranes to minimise operational
problems that can occur due to fouling of membranes by finely divided particles present in
feed water. A carefully designed pretreatment plant aimed at reducing the SDI to as low a
value as possible will go a long way in troublefree operation of the plant.
09033K

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