Low-pressure membrane filtration systems are becoming increasingly popular as utilities
begin upgrading their existing conventional water treatment systems. This paper
presents the key issues and challenges involved in designing a membrane system's
ancillary equipment. The design of a 50-million-gallons-a-day (mgd) (expandable to 60-
mgd) submerged membrane system and related ancillary equipment at the Racine
Water Utility (Racine, Wisconsin) is used as a case study. Although the focus of
membrane system design is often concentrated on membrane-related parameters, such
as type of membrane, number of fibers, configuration of module, flux rate, and
performance, the real challenge to successful membrane system implementation is the
design of integrated ancillary equipment needed to operate the system. In order for the
membrane system to achieve its performance goals, the support equipment has to be
properly designed.
Membrane system ancillary equipment is responsible for the operation of the system.
The day-to-day operation of a low-pressure membrane system involves multiple
processes, including permeation/filtration, backwash, various cleaning routines, and
integrity testing. Ancillary equipment required for the successful operation of the
membrane system include such components as dedicated pumps, blowers,
compressors, chemical systems and control systems. Membrane suppliers typically
work with the engineer and the owner on the design of such components to integrate
membrane system requirements with plant, site, and operational requirements.
Includes tables, figures.
| Edition : | Vol. - No. |
| File Size : | 1
file
, 390 KB |
| Note : | This product is unavailable in Ukraine, Russia, Belarus |
| Number of Pages : | 11 |
| Published : | 06/17/2004 |
