Removal of biological and non-biological viral surrogates by spiral-wound reverse osmosis membrane elements with intact and compromised integrity

The removal of bacteriophage MS2 and fluorescent-dyed polystyrene microspheres with intact and purposely compromised spiral-wound RO membrane elements was investigated. MS2 rejection with intact membrane elements was >99.9995%. A model developed for data evaluation revealed that the advective passage of MS2 through imperfections of intact membrane elements was <2×10−5% of the overall product water flow produced. The advective passage of MS2 and microspheres through a pinhole induced in one of the elements was 0.05–0.1% of the overall product water flow. Prolonged testing of both intact and compromised elements resulted in increased MS2 rejection corresponding to advective MS2 passage through membrane imperfections of <3×10−7% of the overall product water flow. The permeate flow rate obtained with an element with a larger pinhole was 5–13% greater than that of the intact element, and the corresponding rejection of MS2 and microspheres was similar to that observed for sodium chloride. The use of a cracked o-ring in the connection of the permeate tube to the element vessel end-cup resulted in advective passage of MS2 through the crack of <0.0001% of the overall permeate flow.