This article provides details of one approach for
evaluating whether to install low-pressure membranes
as part of a water treatment plant (WTP) expansion.
Even though the conventional WTP at the Modesto
(California) Irrigation District (MID) was exceeding all state
and federal water quality requirements, the decision
was made to switch to a new filtration technology for
the expansion. To verify the membranes' applicability
and performance, the MID embarked on an extensive
pilot testing program. It also evaluated options for
residuals handling and for treating membrane cleaning
wastes.
Even a well-operated conventional water treatment
plant can have good reasons to expand with a newer
technology, such as low-pressure membranes. For the
MID, the anticipated regional population growth and
limited land for future water plant expansions, were
significant reasons for expanding its conventional
water plant with membranes.
The authors have presented information that will be
useful for utility managers facing their own treatment
plant expansions by providing an example of one
approach to evaluating a new technology for a plant
expansion. Water utilities can see how MID proceeded
with evaluation of low-pressure membranes and how
decisions were made. They can also learn about the
design considerations for ozone, residuals handling,
and disposal of membrane cleaning wastes. Readers
will also be interested in the use of a siphon arrangement
for drawing water through the membranes, a
technique that will help to lower the overall energy use
at the expanded facility. Includes 3 references, table, figures.
| Edition : | Vol. 99 - No. 12 |
| File Size : | 1
file
, 560 KB |
| Note : | This product is unavailable in Ukraine, Russia, Belarus |
| Number of Pages : | 9 |
| Published : | 12/01/2007 |
