AWWA WQTC58927

The traditional method for determining whether a membrane is considered anultrafiltration (UF) or microfiltration (MF) membrane is based upon the molecular weight cutoffof the membrane or the nominal pore size. Microbial removal performance does not currentlyplay a quantitative role in determining whether a membrane is classified as MF or UF. A pilot-/full-scale comparison study was conducted at the Saratoga Filtration Plant, California with acontinuous microfiltration (CMF) unit to evaluate their capability to remove microorganismsunder selected water quality and operational conditions. In order to monitor and compare thefouling rates and the associated microbial rejection performances of membrane modules ofdifferent ages, three modules were challenged with microbes: one mature module that had beenin use on the full-scale plant for 5 years, and two brand new modules (one operated on the pilotunit, the other operated on the full-scale system). The microorganisms tested were MS2 phage,PRD1 phage and Pseudomonas diminuta. The results showed that the pilot unit mirrored thehydraulic behavior of the full-scale system and also documented satisfactorily the performanceof the membrane system from a microbial removal standpoint. Indeed, higher phage removalswere recorded with the mature module exhibiting a greater fouling as compared to the two newmodules. Also, it was found that the extent of the impact of fouling on microbial removalgreatly depends on the size of the target microorganism. Includes 14 references, tables, figures.

Product Details

Edition:

Vol. - No.

Published:

11/02/2003

Number of Pages:

14

File Size:

1 file , 400 KB