Evaluation of cleaning strategies for removal of biofilms from reverse-osmosis membranes.

An evaluation was made of the efficiency of five classes of chemical cleaning agents for removing biofilm from spirally wound cellulose acetate reverse-osmosis membranes receiving influent with high or low levels of combined chlorine. Each cleaning regimen utilized one or more of the following types of chemical: (i) surfactants and detergents, (ii) chaotropic agents, (iii) bactericidal agents, (iv) enzymes, and (v) antiprecipitants. Cleaning efficiency was tested in the laboratory on membrane material removed from operations at various intervals (2 to 74 days). Cleaning effectiveness was evaluated against nontreated control membranes and was scored by scanning electron microscopy and enumeration of surviving bacteria after treatment of the membranes. The combinations of classes which were most effective in biofilm removal were the anionic and chaotropic agent combination and combinations involving enzyme-containing preparations. Membranes receiving influent with high levels of combined chlorine were easier to clean but more susceptible to structural damage from prolonged exposure to combined chlorine. No treatment or combination of treatments was completely effective or effective at all stages of biofilm development.