Full Description

The continuous use of chlorine and chloramines canadversely affect reverse osmosis or nanofiltrationmembranes used in water treatment processes. However,no models were available to predict change inmembrane performance over time. This work introducesa mass loading model to predict membrane water qualityover time of operation. The model correlates solute masstransfer coefficients (MTCs) to initial solute MTCs,solute charge, feedwater temperature, monochloramineloading, and organic loading. In a 2,000-hour pilotstudy, the model was tested using a highly organic andbrackish surface water. Four different thin-film-compositelow-pressure reverse osmosis membranes were tested,and separate models were developed for all membranes.Results indicated that given reasonable assumptions ofparameters, the models provided accurate predictions ofmembrane performance and replacement. This solutemass transfer model can be used to predict permeatewater quality and sensitivity of permeate water qualityto variations in temperature and organic and monocloraminemass loading. It should prove a valuable tool forwater utilities by offering a systematic method of predictingperformance that is applicable to all surfacewaters. Includes 26 references, tables, figures.

Product Details

Edition: Vol. 96 - No. 12 Published: 12/01/2004 Number of Pages: 8 File Size: 1 file , 310 KB