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COST AND PERFORMANCE OF MEMBRANES FOR ORGANIC CONTROL IN SMALL SYSTEMS: FLAGLER BEACH AND PUNTA GORDA, FL
Citation:
Taylor, J., L. Mulford, W. Barrett, S. Duranceau, AND D. Smith. COST AND PERFORMANCE OF MEMBRANES FOR ORGANIC CONTROL IN SMALL SYSTEMS: FLAGLER BEACH AND PUNTA GORDA, FL. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/2-89/022.
Description:
This project documented the performance and cost of low pressure membrane technology to remove THM precursors from drinking water. A 12,500 gpd membrane pilot plant was operated for one year at both groundwater and surface water source test sites in Florida. At the groundwater site, the pilot plant was operated for over 5,000 hr and produced a permeate with an average THMFP of 20 ug/L from a source water with an average THMFP of 400 ug/L. Permeate production was consistent throughout the operating period. There were no significant operational problems. A preliminary cost estimate showed that the cost of a low pressure membrane treatment facility at this location was essentially equal to that of the existing lime softening treatment and produced drinking water of generally superior quality. At the surface water site, the pilot plant was operated for over 6,600 hr and produced a permeate with an average THMFP of 37 ug/L from a source water with an average THMFP of around 600 ug/L. Consistent permeate production was not achieved at this location, however, as a significant problem with fouling of the membranes by the highly organic surface water was encountered. Use of this type of membrane technology on such surface water will require lower membrane flux, lower recovery, more frequent membrane cleanings and extensive pretreatment. Capital costs for such an application will be significantly higher than conventional treatment.