A novel magnetic resonance measurement (MRM) protocol for non-invasive monitoring of fouling in spiral wound reverse osmosis (SWRO) membrane modules is demonstrated. Sodium alginate was used to progressively foul a commercial SWRO membrane at industrially relevant operating conditions in a circulating flow loop. The MRM protocol showcased the following: (i) earlier, more sensitive detection and quantification of fouling in the membrane module compared to feed-channel pressure drop. This was achieved using appropriate detection of the total nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signal. (ii) 2D cross-sectional imaging of the location of the accumulated foulant material; this was preferentially located adjacent to the membrane spacer sheet nodes, which was subsequently confirmed by a module autopsy. This image contrast, which could also readily differentiate the membrane, feed spacer and permeate spacer regions, was realised based on differences in the NMR relaxation parameter, T_2,eff. (iii) High frequency acquisition of 2D cross-sectional velocity images of the module revealing very localised flow channelling in response to gradual foulant accumulation which impacted significantly on the flow pattern within the central permeate tube. Collectively this NMR/MRI measurement protocol provides a powerful analysis tool for the evolution of fouling in such complex modules, thus ultimately enabling more informed module design.

新型的磁共振测量（MRM）协议用于无创监测螺旋缠绕反渗透（SWRO）膜模块中的结垢情况。海藻酸钠被用于在工业上相关的操作条件下在循环流回路中逐渐结垢商业SWRO膜。MRM协议展示了以下内容：（i）与进料通道压降相比，膜模块中的污垢更早地更灵敏地检测和定量。这是通过适当检测总核磁共振（NMR）信号实现的。（二）积垢的污垢材料位置的2D横截面成像; 它优先位于膜隔离片节点附近，随后由模块尸检证实。基于NMR弛豫参数T _2，eff的差异，可以实现这种图像对比，该对比也可以轻松地区分膜，进料间隔物和渗透物间隔物区域。（iii）模块的2D横截面速度图像的高频采集，显示出非常局部的流道，以响应逐渐积垢的积聚，这对中央渗透管内的流动模式产生了重大影响。此NMR / MRI测量规程共同为此类复杂模块中的结垢演变提供了强大的分析工具，从而最终实现了更明智的模块设计。