Greener biofouling prevention for reverse osmosis systems
Date
2026
Authors
Da-Silva-Correa, Luiz Henrique
Henriquez, Orielle-Florianne K. N.
Thorburn, Danyka S. G.
Boutouis, Fatima-Zahra K.
Pereira, Maria Isadora
Sanchez Varon, Dafine R.
Smith, Hayley A.
Douglas, Georgia
Godoy, Rafaela
Gamm, Nicole E.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
IESVic Energy Brief
Abstract
Currently, many communities around the world are dealing with several challenges due to the lack of access to clean potable water. The application of desalination membrane technologies offers a solution to address the insufficiency in potable water supply. This filtration technology has capability to produce freshwater from diverse water sources including wastewater, brackish water, and seawater. So why can't we just use desalination technologies to solve the clean water shortage worldwide? Well, desalination technology is very expensive, mainly because of this thing called biofouling. Biofouling happens when microorganisms embedded in a jelly-like material (biofilm) clog up the membranes used in the filtering process. It reduces water production, damages the membranes, and in-creases the energy needed to produce freshwater. To control biofouling, desalination plant operators usually use a ton of harsh chemicals, which only adds to the cost of the application of the technology. Plus, dealing with biofouling makes waste disposal trickier, further increasing the overall operating costs of desalination plants. Finding safer alternatives to prevent biofouling in desalination membrane systems is not an easy task. It is not just a complex issue; it is something that was never done effectively before. So, in my PhD research, I have come up with a method to find greener and safer chemical solutions to prevent biofouling in desalination membrane systems.
Description
Keywords
Green Safe Water Lab, Institute for Integrated Energy Systems (IESVic), Centre for Advanced Materials and Related Technology (CAMTEC)
Citation
Da-Silva-Correa, L.H.; Henriquez, O.-F. K.N.; Thorburn, D.S.G.; Boutouis, F.-Z. K.; Pereira, M.I.; Sanchez Varon, D.R.; Smith, H.A.; Douglas, G.; Godoy, R; Gamm, N.E.; Aasen, K.; Rahmati, N.; Welsh, B.; Thibodeau, M.C.; Buckley, H.L. (2026) Greener Biofolouing Prevention for Reverse Osmosis Systems IESVic Energy Brief