Although operational conditions can be optimized in order to minimize fouling, it
appears from relevant literature that certain membranes foul faster and experience greater
flux decline than others, although the mechanisms are not clear (Cho et al., 1999, Xu et
al. 2005, Gwon et al., 2003, Vrijenhoek, et al. 2001). Therefore, knowledge of the fouling
propensity of candidate membranes before pilot-scale and full-scale operation would be
extremely beneficial. Because fouling has been shown to be dependent upon feed water
quality, the development of a quick and inexpensive screening protocol to determine the fouling propensity of candidate membranes when treating certain feed water is needed.
Currently, the initial selection of candidate membranes for pilot- and full-scale membrane
testing/operation is neglecting the fouling potential for a given feedwater, is based largely
on previous experience with a membrane product in similar applications, and subsequent
operation often fails due to membrane fouling (Wilf and Alt 2000, Gwon et al. 2003,
Vrouwenvelder et al. 2003).
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of fouling on the
performance of ULPRO and NF membranes during water reuse applications. The study
was funded by the Awwa Research Foundation (#3012) and the West Basin Municipal
Water District. The paper discusses candidate membranes, bench-scale membrane tests, two-stage membrane testing unit, total organic carbon (TOC) and nutrient analysis, trace organic analysis, performance perameters, pilot-scale membrane unit, and the analytical methods used for membrane characterization. Includes 21 references, tables, figures.
| Edition : | Vol. - No. |
| File Size : | 1
file
, 300 KB |
| Note : | This product is unavailable in Ukraine, Russia, Belarus |
| Number of Pages : | 9 |
| Published : | 03/01/2007 |
