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USEPA/WSWRD MEMBRANE RESEARCH
Citation:
Speth*, T F. AND J Q. Adams*. USEPA/WSWRD MEMBRANE RESEARCH. Presented at 1999 Annual Meeting, Interagency Consortium for Desalination and Membane Separation Research, Keystone, CO, April 25-29, 1999.
Description:
The USEPA has been very active in membrane research. The following areas are currently being investigated: in-house fouling research, Information Collection Rule (ICR) treatment studies, inorganic scaling modeling, Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) program implementation, extramural studies, and cost model development. The in-house fouling research study evaluated five different pretreatments in an effort to contol biological fouling. Contrary to expectations, the results showed that the presence of microbes on the film/foulant layer above the membrane surface did not correlate to flux decline. Particulates and/or interactions with organic material were surmised to be responsible for the flux decline. The ICR membrane treatment studies are proceeding. There are 37 nanofiltration studies being completed at utilities across the country. Most of the studies are being conducted in Florida. The studies should be completed this summer and the data will be analyzed to support the upcoming regulatory Negotiation discussions. An inorganic scaling model is being completed to calculate the indices of typical membrane foulants and scalants, plus aluminum, iron, and phosphate compounds and/or complexes. The program will also allow for selection of different manufacturer's membranes plus the choice of a "generic" membrane with characteristics defined by the user. A modest effort at recycling issues will be addresed as it pertains to the ICR studies. This should be completed this calendar year. The ETV program which defines protocols to test the performance of package drinking water plants is continuing. Over 25 test plans for treatment applications are in various stages of preparation, review, and State acceptance. Completed test plans for membrane applications include: microbial control and disinfection byproduct precursor removal. Draft plans are being completed for the removal of arsenic, nitrate, softening, and synthetic organic contaminants. Nine membrane systems are currently being tested. The extramural reserch at the University of Central Florida is continuing. Multiple pretreatments and membranes are being evaluated with Hillsboro River water (TOC 12-40 mg/L). The pretreatments include: conventional treatment, monochloramines, Memcor microfiltration, Zenon microfiltration, and ultrafiltration. Three nanofiltration membranes are being evaluated: Hydranautics (ENSA), Hydranautics (LFC1), and Fluid DSystems (CALP). Results have shown that chloramines have helped control biological growth. The microfiltration units have shown excellent spore removal. The membrane cost model is being developed extramurally to update costs from the last effort ten years ago, to develop a flexible building block approach to facilitate multiple approaches to cost accounting and analysis, and to develop cost estimates for component O&M that can be tied to treatment performance. The current effort will be completed at the end of FY99. Computer modeling of the cost model will be developed separately either in-house or extramurally.