Title: Customization and Multistage Nanofiltration Applications for Potable Water, Treatment, and Reuse
Abstract: Drinking Water: The term "nanofiltration" is really a misnomer. The removal mechanism for nanofiltration membranes is not purely filtration, but also osmotic. This makes them a true hybrid, bridging ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis membranes in the range of membrane treatment options. The wide range of nanofiltration membranes available in the market provides numerous options for targeting mass removals of specific or groups of constituents. Although the removal capabilities vary with membrane manufacturer and constituent, nanofiltration membranes have the ability to remove small ions and compounds. When combined in multiple passes, the number of options increases dramatically providing opportunities for "designer" waters. Multiple pass systems can provide cost savings in terms of energy, produce more consistent water quality, and provide simpler solutions to removal problems such as boron in seawater. This is especially true with respect to the desalination of seawater. Testing completed by the Long Beach Water Department has shown energy reductions of 10–20 percent. With new breakthroughs in membrane technology, constituent specific membranes are a possibility. Research in the use of embedded "nanoparticles" in reverse osmosis membranes has shown promise and may be applicable to nanofiltration membranes in the future.Wastewater Treatment and Reuse: Historically, wastewater treatment has focused on removal of solids, organics, and microorganisms. As regulations tighten, more contaminants will be included. Not all of these contaminants will be able to be removed through conventional methods and may require membrane processes. These types of limits may not be just for water that will be reused, but for water that is discharged. Overshooting the treatment goals with reverse osmosis membranes can be considered by some to be inefficient, when the water is discharged. However, use of this type of water for replenishment of potable sources, although technically feasible, has proven to be a difficult issue from a public perception standpoint. As with water treatment, the broad range of nanofiltration membranes available, all with different characteristics, can provide a much better set of solutions to meet the more stringent discharge requirements. In single or multiple passes, nanofiltration membranes can be configured to target certain contaminants more efficiently than reverse osmosis. In addition, this type of configuration can prove to be the ultimate in flexibility to provide "designer" waters for reuse customers.
Publication Year: 2014
Publication Date: 2014-01-01
Language: en
Type: book-chapter
Indexed In: ['crossref']
Access and Citation
Cited By Count: 4
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