Insights into biofouling in reverse osmosis membrane: A comprehensive review on techniques for biofouling assay

Biofouling is a critical concern in reverse osmosis as it significantly deteriorates the efficacy of the treatment processes. A biofouling assessment technique offers an insight into the mechanisms and severity of biofouling in the reverse osmosis membrane. This review provides an in-depth overview and discussion on both conventional and advanced biofouling evaluation techniques employed in reverse osmosis membranes. An overview of the fundamental principles, biofouling mechanisms, impacts, and prevention strategies for reverse osmosis biofouling are first briefly discussed. Conventional and advanced biofouling assessment techniques are compared and contrasted in terms of their features, benefits and shortcomings. The conventional biofouling technique is a widely utilized biofouling approach due to its versatility and ease of use. On the other hand, advanced biofouling approaches provide a comprehensive, real time and accurate biofouling monitoring. Specifically, by detecting the early onset of biofouling and assessing its severity, advanced biofouling assessment methods allow timely cleaning to mitigate further fouling and improve the overall performance. The challenges and future research directions in this area are also highlighted.