ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the author discusses the operational problems caused by the formation of biofilm in reverse osmosis (RO) membranes systems, and introduces a framework for the use of a wireless sensor networks (WSN) as a detector and an estimator of its evolution. A biofilm is an accumulation of microorganisms, in which cells adhere to each other and to a certain surface. More specifically, the biofilm formation remains a severe problem in water desalination plants whose technology is based on RO. The biofilm contains diverse types of solid and liquid components. The author presents a framework for the use of a WSN as both a detector of the formation of the biofilm in a reverse osmosis membrane, and an estimator of its evolution. Then, the nodes are able to detect when this concentration exceeds a specific threshold that can be considered dangerous for the reverse osmosis membrane or close to the irreversible attachment.
