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1) Proper pretreatment of water sources is critical for the performance and longevity of reverse osmosis and nanofiltration membrane systems, as these technologies are designed to remove dissolved ions, not particulate matter.
2) A thorough analysis of source water quality over time is needed to understand potential fouling and scaling issues. Minimum water quality tests include measuring levels of various ions, metals, bacteria, solids and other parameters.
3) The objectives of pretreatment are to remove particulate matter, organic substances, microbes and other solids that could foul or scale membranes, reducing efficiency and shortening membrane life. Common pretreatment methods remove silt, clay, biological growth and other contaminants.
1) Proper pretreatment of water sources is critical for the performance and longevity of reverse osmosis and nanofiltration membrane systems, as these technologies are designed to remove dissolved ions, not particulate matter.
2) A thorough analysis of source water quality over time is needed to understand potential fouling and scaling issues. Minimum water quality tests include measuring levels of various ions, metals, bacteria, solids and other parameters.
3) The objectives of pretreatment are to remove particulate matter, organic substances, microbes and other solids that could foul or scale membranes, reducing efficiency and shortening membrane life. Common pretreatment methods remove silt, clay, biological growth and other contaminants.
1) Proper pretreatment of water sources is critical for the performance and longevity of reverse osmosis and nanofiltration membrane systems, as these technologies are designed to remove dissolved ions, not particulate matter.
2) A thorough analysis of source water quality over time is needed to understand potential fouling and scaling issues. Minimum water quality tests include measuring levels of various ions, metals, bacteria, solids and other parameters.
3) The objectives of pretreatment are to remove particulate matter, organic substances, microbes and other solids that could foul or scale membranes, reducing efficiency and shortening membrane life. Common pretreatment methods remove silt, clay, biological growth and other contaminants.
Improving America’s Waters Through Membrane Treatment and Desalting
Pretreatment for Membrane Processes
Reverse osmosis (RO) and membrane life and membrane Table 1: Minimum Required Water Quality Analysis Aluminum* Ortho Phosphate Nanofiltration (NF) have long been degradation due to “poor” source Ammonia Arsenic Potassium Selenium utilized for desalination, softening and waters are still being analyzed by Bacteriological (coliform) Bacteriological (Total) Silica Colloidal (as Sio2) Silica Soluble (as Sio2) contaminant removal. As the available engineers, manufacturers and end users. Barium * Bicarbonate Silver Sodium ground water, fresh water and “clean” Unfortunately some of these problems Cadmium Calcium Strontium* Sulfate water sources are depleting globally, are found after facilities are built and Carbonate Carbonate Alkalinity (p value) Total Alkalinity (m value) Total Dissolved Solids Chloride Total Hardness RO/NF technologies are being applied put in service. This is a crime, since Chlorine Total Iron* Chromium Total Organic Carbon to surface waters, wastewater and multi-million dollar investments are at Color Total Phosphate Conductivity Total Suspended Solids ground waters. These types of source stake and improper application gives Copper Turbidity (NTU) Dissolved Iron* Zinc waters have substantially more membranes a bad name. In fact, those Fluoride Free Chlorine PRIMARY & SECONDARY MCL's particulate matters, organic substances of us involved in the membrane Lead Magnesium On Site Measurements and other solids which may not be industry strongly believe that it is not Manganese Temperature Nickel PH compatible with RO/NF membrane the membranes that fail; it is improper Nitrate Carbon dioxide Hydrogen Sulfide processes. Both technologies are application or inadequate pretreatment * Recommended to be measured in ug/L
manufactured, designed and built for which causes failures.
“salt” and dissolved ion removal and Pretreatment Objectives not particulate matter. Therefore, Since the manufacturing process, The primary objective of pretreatment is to proper pretreatment plays a critical role element properties and to some degree make the feed water to the RO compatible in the performance, life expectancy and behavior of NF spiral wound elements with the membrane. Pretreatment is the overall operating costs of these are the same as RO, most of the required to increase the efficiency and life systems. discussion in this article applies to NF expectancy of the membrane elements by systems as well as RO systems. minimizing fouling, scaling and degradation of the membrane. Source Water Assessment The first and most important step in Fouling refers to entrapment of RO system planning and design is to particulates, such as silt, clay, suspended assess the source water quantity and solids, biological slime, algae, silica, iron quality. For the water quality, which is flocs and other matter on the surface, our focus here, it is crucial to get or even worst, within the membrane adequate information, not just a pores. Typically fouling occurs in the snapshot, but a historical view of the lead elements of the first stage initially source water quality. Table 1 is the and then it works itself through the minimum extent of water quality following elements. Depending on the analysis required. For some of the operating conditions and water parameters such as TOC, TSS, chemistry some metals, such as soluble temperature, pH etc, historical data is iron and manganese, oxidize once they required to establish the minimum, are within the membrane system and average and maximum expected values can precipitate anywhere throughout to be able to properly plan and design the RO system. Similarly, microbes can the system. For some of the grow and spread throughout an entire Although the salt rejection characteristics parameters as noted, measurement RO system. Microbiological and of RO/NF membranes are well should be done on site since the organic fouling are perhaps the most known to the industry since the 1980’s, property will change with time and common types of foulants and more compatibility of feed water particulate method of sample handling. difficult to control in surface water and matter, fouling/scaling rates, impact on wastewater applications. Scaling refers to precipitation and on potential fouling/scaling of an RO although it is not the most scientific test, deposition of sparingly soluble salts system. For example systems with it is a good indicator of changes in the such as Calcium Sulfate, Barium Sulfate, higher recovery tend to foul quicker feed water and visual inspection of the Calcium Carbonates, Silica, Calcium and may have a higher potential for membrane pad may reveal potential Fluoride and any other super saturated scaling due to the fact that membrane upstream problems early. salt on the immediate surface of the actually sees a higher concentration of membrane. Typically scaling starts on ions and impurities. Pretreatment Options the tail elements of the last stage (on RO pretreatment typically consists of Table 2: Guidelines for Acceptable RO / NF Feed Water the reject side), since they are treating “none” to a complex, comprehensive Parameter Recommended Maximum Value water with the highest concentrations Turbidity 0.5 NTU system for poor raw waters. The TOC 2 mg/L of ions. Once a crystal of scale forms Iron 1 0.1 mg/L pretreatment systems can be chemical, within the membrane element, it acts as Manganese 0.05 mg/L mechanical or a combination. Tables 3 Oil & grease 0.1 mg/L a nucleation site for additional scales to SDI 15 3 and 4 present a list of potential VOC's 2 In ug/L range form and the rate of scale formation 1- If absolutely no chance of air entry / oxidation and pH< pretreatment options which are 7, values as high as 1-2 mg/L may be acceptable. increases exponentially. 2- Higher concentrations may damage the element glue line. routinely utilized for RO systems.
Inadequate pretreatment often Most element manufacturers
necessitates frequent cleaning to restore have similar guidelines but may product flux and salt rejection. This not be as stringent since their Table 3: Potential RO/NF Chemical Pretreatment Options
will result in excessive chemical cleaning recommendations are an
Technique Purpose costs, increases system downtime, and absolute maximum, meaning if in severe cases will result in permanent they are exceeded the warranty Coagulants / polymers Added as a part of coagulation / flocculation process to improve solid loss of performance, membrane will be void. In general terms, removal degradation and therefore shorter the lower these values are the Scale Inhibitors Allow new compounds to be formed membrane life. more reliable the performance, which have a better solubility properties and some absorb to the surface of the coupled with less frequent micro-crystals thereby reducing further Pretreatment Role cleaning and longer membrane crystal formation Antifoulants Help keep some compounds such as The proper pretreatment of raw water life. Iron in suspension to make it compatible as feed water to Acids To lower pH and therefore reduce scaling potential of some compounds RO must involve a total system The recent generation of “low such as Carbonates approach for continuous, consistent fouling” elements is believed to Bisulfites Dechlorination and reliable operation. have more tolerance to some of the parameters listed in The type and extent of a pretreatment Table 2. Table 4: Potential RO/NF Mechanical Pretreatment Options system will depend on the type of source (i.e. well water, beach wells, Please refer to the element Technique Purpose open sea, surface water or partially manufacturers for their Pre-Screens Large objects and sand removal Cartridge Filter Protection of membrane elements treated wastewater). The major guidelines. Clarifier Suspended Solids reduction difference is not only the feed water Media filtration Suspended Solids removal composition, but also water quality Silt Density Index (SDI) Activated carbon Organic removal and dechlorination Greensand Filters Iron / Manganese reduction variability by seasonal factors, climate test is generally viewed as Ozone Organic removal and reducing biological conditions and/or activities on the an indicator for potential activities UV Reducing biological activities surface waters. colloidal fouling. The Full conventional plant Particulate, organic and biological activity standard SDI test (ASTM (coagulation, flocculation, removal sedimentation and media Table 2 is a general “loose” guideline D-4189) is inexpensive, filtration) for acceptable feed water to an RO/ quick and simple to Microfiltration / Ultrafiltration Particulate and bacteria removal and NF system. It should be noted that perform. However, there organic reduction
there is not a set standard among the is significant disagreement
1- If absolutely no chance of air entry or oxidation and pH<6.5 (reduced industry for such a criteria. One of the in the RO industry on it’s state), values as high as 1-2 mg/L may be acceptable. reasons is that system design and usefulness and scientific 2- Higher concentrations may damage the element glue line. operational parameters do play a role validity. Moreover, Pretreatment is generally considered to be Example B: If chlorination is used to Example H: If a substantial amount sufficient when membrane cleaning is control microbiological growth in the of sulfuric acid is added to reduce feed limited to 3-4 times per year or less, pretreatment, overfeeding will cause water pH, it may increase sulfate scaling membrane elements last over 5 years and degradation of Thin-Film Composite potential due to additional sulfate from the productivity and salt rejection are RO elements. the acid. maintained within the expected ranges. Example C: An activated carbon Conclusion More frequent cleaning can sometimes pretreatment used for organic removal There is not a single solution for an “wash away” the impact of poor or dechlorination may actually acceptable RO/NF pretreatment pretreatment but is not a substitute for encourage biological growth due to the system. The solution depends on raw good pretreatment practices. The down tendency of carbon beds to incubate water composition, seasonal and time, labor, chemical costs and potential microbes. historical water quality changes and the premature aging of membranes RO/NF system operational (degradation) associated with more Example D: Frequently, metals such as parameters. The “loose” guidelines frequent cleaning cannot be justified when Iron, Aluminum, Cobalt, and given in this article are suggestions only compared to a true life cycle cost based on sometimes Arsenic are found as and are subject to debate, as has been a properly selected pretreatment system. impurities in pretreatment chemicals. common in the membrane industry for Care should be taken to specify proper over 20 years! For most municipal RO systems, cartridge chemicals with strict limitations on filters (1-5 microns) should be a minimum impurities. However, the importance of a system pretreatment, even for the cleanest ground approach and adequate pretreatment water sources. The reason is that Example E: Microfiltration / needs cannot be over emphasized. It sometimes foulants / scalants are not in the Ultrafiltration as a part of an Integrated has also been proven that relying on source water but are coming from other Membrane System have been shown in frequent cleaning to “wash away” the sources. Examples are: cement lining and pilot studies and full scale applications pretreatment inadequacy is not the corrosion of steel and ductile iron raw to provide the most suitable feed water optimum solution and is definitely not water piping, well casing failure, colloidal to downstream RO systems. However, an industry acceptable practice. sulfur from oxidation of Hydrogen sulfide, care should be taken to view, design well drilling fluids which may be present and operate the MF/UF pretreatment This material has been prepared as an even months after start up, and as a separate system with its own educational tool by the American Membrane pretreatment failure or upset. In these consideration for fouling, and not Technology Association (AMTA). It is occasional, but not unusual cases, the “solve” the RO fouling problem by designed for dissemination to the public to cartridge filter will act as an “insurance transferring it upstream to the MF/UF further the understanding of the contribution policy” for protecting the membrane. system. that membrane water treatment technologies Therefore cartridge filters should not be can make toward improving the quality of viewed as a “pretreatment” but as a last Example F: Selection of pretreatment water supplies in the US and throughout the defense for protecting RO elements. may impact post treatment. A good world. example would be if acid is used to The more comprehensive and complex the lower the pH of the feed water (for For more information, please contact: pretreatment becomes, the more it should reducing scaling potential), the be viewed as a separate system and not a carbonate will convert to the CO2 American Membrane Technology side process component. The following are which may need to be removed with a Association (AMTA) just a few examples on how pretreatment degasifier process in the post treatment. 2409 SE Dixie Highway impacts the RO and post treatment. Stuart, Florida 34996 Example G: Some cationic polymers Phone: (772) 463-0820 Example A: Overdosing of coagulants in a used in the pretreatment process may Fax: (772) 463-0860 coagulation/filtration pretreatment may in actually co-precipitate with negatively Email: admin@amtaorg.com fact cause RO element fouling by the iron charged scale inhibitors and increase or visit our website at: flocs carried over from the pretreatment to fouling potential. www.amtaorg.com the RO system.