Distinguishing Stage 1 and 2 reverse osmosis permeates using fluorescence spectroscopy.
Fluorescence excitation-emission matrix (EEM) spectroscopy was used to distinguish between two stages of reverse osmosis (RO) permeates as the first step towards investigating the potential application of fluorescence as a monitoring tool for membrane performance. The signal response of several fluorescence peaks present in Stage 1 and Stage 2 RO permeates of an advanced water treatment plant were compared. The humic-like fluorescence region was found to have the largest percentage difference between stages and therefore was the most appropriate for enabling differentiation. Increases in humic-like fluorescence did not correlate with increases in conductivity or dissolved organic carbon measurements. This suggests that fluorescence is a more selective and sensitive method for monitoring the organic composition of RO permeates than established methods. Fluorescence is therefore a promising tool for improved water quality monitoring of RO permeates.
UNSW Water Research Centre, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
S
S
Singh
R K
RK
Henderson
A
A
Baker
R M
RM
Stuetz
S J
SJ
Khan
D009995:Osmosis; D010100:Oxygen / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid
D010100:Oxygen