Fundamental insights into spacer biofouling in MD and FO:
Reclamation of highly contaminated water has prompted the need for novel membrane-based technologies with low biofouling propensity such as forward osmosis (FO) and membrane distillation (MD). The role of spacers in membrane modules is maintaining a flow path between adjacent membranes while enhancing transport by increased turbulence. The changes in flow induced by spacers also alter the process of biofilm development, which is a known hurdle of wastewater reclamation with membrane-based technologies, as it critically impacts heat and solute transport.
