A comprehensive modeling framework for fouling in forward osmosis (FO) spiral-wound membrane (SWM) modules has been developed, addressing the challenges of time-dependent fouling and complex flow patterns induced by baffles, with validation against experimental data showing a maximum error of 13.1% in FO permeate flux.
The validated model reveals that while improved operating conditions and membrane parameters initially enhance water flux, these gains are significantly offset by accelerated fouling, resulting in minimal performance improvements (<1%) under severe fouling conditions.
This study demonstrates that for foulant cakes with pore diameters larger than 10 nm, osmotic resistance dominates over hydraulic resistance, whereas hydraulic resistance becomes significant for foulant cakes with smaller pore diameters, highlighting the potential of advanced modeling techniques to elucidate membrane fouling phenomena at the SWM module scale.