Pretreatment for membrane water treatment systems: a laboratory study

The goal of the work was to determine if biological treatment of water containing soil-derived humic substances has the potential for reducing the fouling of membranes used in water treatment. Laboratory scale biological filters containing biologically active carbon or iron oxide coated sand were fe...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Water research (Oxford) 2003-08, Vol.37 (14), p.3367-3378
Main Authors: Wend, Christopher F, Stewart, Philip S, Jones, Warren, Camper, Anne K
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
ACTIVATED CARBON
Applied sciences
Biodeterioration. Biofouling
BIOFILM
Biofilms
BIOFOULING
Biological and medical sciences
BIOLOGICAL FOULING
BIOLOGICAL TREATMENT
Bioreactors
Biotechnology
CHLORINATION
Chlorine Compounds
Disinfection
Drinking water and swimming-pool water. Desalination
ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
Equipment Failure
Exact sciences and technology
FILTRATION
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
HUMIC ACIDS
Humic Substances
Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects
IRON OXIDES
LABORATORY SCALE
MEMBRANES
Membranes, Artificial
Pollution
REMOVAL
SAND
THICKNESS
Waste Disposal, Fluid - methods
WASTE WATER
Water Microbiology
WATER TREATMENT
Water treatment and pollution
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Summary:The goal of the work was to determine if biological treatment of water containing soil-derived humic substances has the potential for reducing the fouling of membranes used in water treatment. Laboratory scale biological filters containing biologically active carbon or iron oxide coated sand were fed humic-laden water with or without prechlorination. This stream was split, with half being further treated by microfiltration. Treated water was assessed for total organic carbon removal and biofouling potential using a glass bead assay and membrane assay for total cell counts, fouling layer thickness, and flux reduction. A combination of these assays provided more insight than any single measurement. Compared to untreated control water, biological treatment was capable of reducing downstream fouling of membrane systems. For example, fouling layer thickness was reduced by half after biological treatment, and cell counts were reduced four- to five-fold. Biological treatment coupled with microfiltration provided the best reduction of fouling, while prechlorination did not appear to impact the process. These results suggest that biological treatment may be valuable in reducing membrane fouling while reducing the amount of disinfectants used in pretreatment.
ISSN:0043-1354
1879-2448
DOI:10.1016/S0043-1354(03)00234-3