Stormwater treatment using an ultrafiltration membrane and pulsatile fluid flow

• Published in: Urban water journal 2024-11, Vol.21 (10), p.1176-1184
• Main Authors: Kaykhaii, Saida, Herrmann, Inga, Hedström, Annelie, Nordqvist, Kerstin, Viklander, Maria
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Centre - Centre for Stormwater Management (DRIZZLE); Centrumbildning - Centrum för dagvattenhantering (DRIZZLE); Coliforms; dead end filtration; E coli; Fluid flow; fouling; Membrane processes; Membranes; Organic carbon; Productivity; pulse frequency; PVP/PES; Solid suspensions; Stormwater; Suspended particulate matter; Suspended solids; Toilets; Total organic carbon; Turbidity; Ultrafiltration; Urban Water Engineering; VA-teknik; water reuse
• ISSN: 1573-062X; 1744-9006; 1744-9006
• DOI: 10.1080/1573062X.2023.2183136

A polymeric ultrafiltration (UF) membrane was used for stormwater treatment, with the focus on evaluating the increase in the membrane process productivity by adding pulsatile fluid flow to UF membrane treatment. Sedimentation and sieving were used as pre-treatment. The result showed that increasing the pulse frequency from 0 to 4 Hz increased productivity from −6.6 to 82 LMH. UF membrane removed suspended solids, oil and turbidity below detection limit. The UF membrane also separated total coliforms, E. coli and P. aeruginosa below detection limit. Total organic carbon (TOC) was reduced by between 81%, in average. In addition, the UF membrane was able to reduce BOD 7 and COD to below 7 mg/L in the permeate. According to the US EPA, WHO, and national regulations in Canada, Japan, and South Korea, treated stormwater can be used for flushing toilets and streets irrigation and agricultural use.