AWWA WQTC63977

Low pressure, hollow fiber (LPHF) membranes are subject to fouling by natural organicmatter (NOM) during the filtration of natural waters. The mechanisms of fouling were exploredin an AWWARF-funded study at bench scale using representative types of LPHF membranesand natural water samples, coupled with complimentary techniques for foulant characterization.The fouling results were quantified using the new concept called the "unified modified foulingindex (UMFI)". It was found that membrane fouling is affected by multiple factors, including thepresence of the high molecular weight (HMW) fraction of NOM. The magnitude of fouling wasmore specific to each membrane/water combination, than hydrodynamic conditions of filtration;The analysis of UMFI suggested that the observed fouling usually followed a pseudo-cakeformation type of fouling, with the indices varying between 0.0027~0.034 m²/L. Hydraulicbackwashing was shown to effectively remove fouling if the proper membranes were chosen fora specific source water. The results from this study offer the membrane end user a moreefficacious manner to evaluate the potential of their water to foul specific membranes byemploying the developed UFMI. Moreover, it suggests important factors that may influence thefouling of their membranes by natural organic matter. Includes 6 references, tables, figures.

Product Details

Edition:

Vol. - No.

Published:

11/01/2006

Number of Pages:

11

File Size:

1 file , 360 KB