Mitigating Low-Pressure Membrane Fouling by Controlling the Charge of Precipitated Floc Particles

Authors

  • Gregg A. McLeod Greenwood Village, Colorado, USA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6000/1929-6037.2014.03.04.4

Keywords:

Coagulant, Floc, Particulate, Flux, Electrostatic.

Abstract

Fouling presents the most significant obstacle to optimal low-pressure membrane plant performance. The occurrence of fouling tends to decrease production rates (flux), increase chemical usage incurred during clean-in-place (CIP) process, increase energy costs, shorten membrane life and reduce recovery. Fouling may be of organic or inorganic nature, necessitating more frequent dual chemical cleaning procedures. Regardless of the nature of the foulants, particulate loading onto the membrane fiber surface has been identified as a common mechanism of deteriorating performance. Particulates and colloidal materials such as turbidity, natural organic material (NOM), algae and precipitated coagulant floc accumulate on the membrane surface and disrupt the laminar flow of water through the element. Particulates can either attach or adhere to the membrane surface through electrostatic attraction. One method of reducing this fouling mechanism is to employ controlled coagulation as a direct feed or coupled with a clarification step prior to membrane process. Coagulation can attract and retain naturally occurring particulates and colloidal materials via charge neutralization. Then, by controlling the charge of precipitated floc particulates to align with the surface charge of the membrane element, both types of fouling can be mitigated. This Paper summarizes two demonstrations featuring a pressure feed and a submerged vacuum ultrafiltration (UF) system.

References

de la Rubia A, Rodriguez M, Leon V M, et al. Removal of natural organic matter and THM formation potential by ultra- and nanofiltration- of surface water. Water Res 2008; 42: 714-722. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2007.07.049 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2007.07.049

Lee N, Amy G, Croue J, et al. Identification and understanding of fouling in low pressure Membrane (MF/UF) filtration by natural organic matter (NOM). Water Res 2004; 38: 4511-4523. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2004.08.013 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2004.08.013

Jermann D, Pronk W, Kagi R, et al. Influence of interactions between NOM and particles inUF fouling mechanisms. Water Res 2008; 42: 3870-3878. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2008.05.013

Mcleod GM, Inventor “Process for enhanced total organic carbon removal while maintaining optimum membrane filter performance” United States Patent 8,540,882B2; 2013 Sep; 8,491,794B2; 2013 Sep.

Sharp E, Ratnaweera. Treatment of waters with elevated organic content. AWWA Journal 2006.

Kim S, Moon S, Yoon C. Identification of fouling causing materials in the ultrafiltration of surface water. Desalination 2005; 177: 201-207. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2004.11.020

Briley, D, Knappe Detlef R. Streaming current coagulation. AWWA Journal Feb 2002.

Walker C, Kirby J, Dental S. Streaming current detector: a quantitative model. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science March 1996 0438. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1006/jcis.1996.0438

Parthasarathy N, Buffle J. Study of polymeric aluminum (III) hydroxide solutions for application in waste water treatment. Properties of the polymer and optimal conditions of preparation. Water Res 1991; 25-36. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0043-1354(85)90319-7

Bertsch P, Thomas G. Characterization of hydroxyl aluminum solutions by aluminum 27 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Soil Science Society of America Journal 50: 825-830. http://dx.doi.org/10.2136/sssaj1986.03615995005000030051x DOI: https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj1986.03615995005000030051x

Jermann D, Pronk W, Kagi R, et al. Influence of interactions between NOM and particles in UF fouling mechanisms. Water Res 2008; 42: 3870-3878. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2008.05.013 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2008.05.013

Li Yon Hong, Wang Jun, Zhang Wei, Zhang XiioJian, Chen Chao. Effects of coagulation on submerged ultrafiltration membrane fouling caused by particles and natural organic matter (NOM). Chinese Science Bulletin 2011; 56: 584-590. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11434-010-4296-8

Pernitsky D. Coagulation 101. AWWA 1987.

Van Benschoten J, Edzwald J. Chemical aspects of coagulation using aluminum salts. Hydrolytic reactions of alum and polyaluminum chloride. Water Res 24(12): 1519-1526. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0043-1354(90)90086-L DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0043-1354(90)90086-L

Huang H, Schwab K, Jacangelo J. Pretreatment for low pressure membranes in water treatment: A review. Environ Sci Techno 2009; 43: 3011-3019. http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es802473r DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/es802473r

Maartens A, Swart P, Jacobs E. Feed water pretreatment: methods to reduce membrane fouling by natural organic matter. Journal of Membrane Science 1999; 163: 51-62. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0376-7388(99)00155-6 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0376-7388(99)00155-6

Li Y, Zhang W, Zhang X, et al. Characterization of fouling in immersed polyvinylidene fluoride hollow fiber membrane ultrafiltration by particles and natural organic matter (NOM). Chinese Science Bulletin 2011; 56: 584-590. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11434-010-4296-8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11434-010-4296-8

Chen Y, Dong B, Gao N, et al. Effect of coagulation pretreatment on fouling of an ultrafiltration membrane. Desalination 2007; 204: 181-188. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2006.04.029 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2006.04.029

United States EPA National primary drinking water regulations; disinfectants and disinfection by products. EPA 816-F-02-021 Stage 1; Dec 16, 1998. EPA 815-F-05-003 Stage 2; Jan 4, 2006.

Kim, S, Moon S, Yoon C. Identification of fouling causing materials in the ultrafiltration of surface water. Desalination 2005; 177: 201-207. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2004.11.020 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2004.11.020

Boerlag S, Kennedy M, Bonne P, et al. Prediction of flux decline in membrane systems due to particulate fouling. Desalination 1997; 113: 231-233. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0011-9164(97)00134-3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0011-9164(97)00134-3

Downloads

Published

2014-12-03

How to Cite

McLeod, G. A. (2014). Mitigating Low-Pressure Membrane Fouling by Controlling the Charge of Precipitated Floc Particles. Journal of Membrane and Separation Technology, 3(4), 213–218. https://doi.org/10.6000/1929-6037.2014.03.04.4

Issue

Section

Articles