Abstract |
Experimental bench scale studies were carried out with cellulose acetate and polyamide reverse osmosis membranes to establish rejection efficiencies for different metallic contaminants including barium, cadmium, zinc, copper, chromium and lead. These tests were conducted with trace levels of these metallic contaminants, singly and in combination and at different concentrations, while desalting potable water, various wastewaters and brackish waters. Except for copper in wastewater, metallic removal efficiencies of about 90% or greater were experienced. It was concluded that reverse osmosis may be effectively applied in the production of potable water where the raw water contains trace amounts of the various metals considered in this study. Reverse osmosis may also prove useful where sewage treatment plant effluent has residual trace metal content. (Author) |