Work

Closed circuit reverse osmosis and adsorption: PFAS removal and impact on scaling behaviour

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: To ensure sufficient clean water production in the future, new approaches to water treatment are required. Closed circuit reverse osmosis is seen as a possible technique to increase water recovery whilst creating pollutant free permeate. Here we operate closed circuit reverse osmosis with an adsorbent bed in the recirculation stream to treat PFAS containing and calcite scaling prone feed water. The adsorbent bed was formed by cake filtration, which allowed for the formation of an adsorbent bed with potentially low hydraulic resistance, if the filtration was properly performed. We showed that by introducing the adsorption cake in the recirculation we could achieve up to 99\% recovery, as calcite scaling was largely captured by the cake. Additionally most of the PFAS was removed from the concentrate already during operation, reducing the need for further concentrate treatment.

Source: Separation and Purification Technology

DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2026.137295

Authors: J.B. Roman, A.J.B. Kemperman, W.G.J. van der Meer, J.A. Wood

Institution: University of Twente

Language: English

Topic: Membrane Separation Technologies

Subfield: Water Science and Technology

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Clean water and sanitation, Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,060