title: Impact of operations and cleaning on membrane fouling at a wastewater reclamation facility.
abstract: Effects of operational changes on membrane fouling were evaluated for a wastewater reclamation facility. The focuses were on addition of a coagulant (ferric chloride) versus no addition and an accidental high chlorine (sodium hypochlorite) dose. Two membrane modules with different service ages, 3 years versus 9 months, were compared. Fouling rates ranged between 2 and 3 times higher during no ferric chloride addition. Chemical cleaning frequency was reduced by approximately 5 times during ferric chloride addition for older membranes, while it did not change for newer membranes. High chlorine dose had slightly improved membrane permeability for newer membrane, and reduced the transmembrane pressure (TMP) for both older and newer membranes. Chemical wash with enzymatic detergents substantially improved membrane permeability and reduced TMP for both older and newer membranes. Fouling index values indicated that coagulant addition had greater impact on performance recovery for older membranes than newer membranes. Successful and economical operation of membranes depends on fouling rate, which in this study was found to be a function of flux, membrane age, pretreatment, and cleaning type and frequency.
authors.affiliation: Moore Engineering, Inc., West Fargo, ND 58078, USA. Electronic address: murthy.kasi@hdrinc.com.
authors.forename: Murthy
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kasi
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58108, USA.
authors.forename: Halis
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Simsek
authors.affiliation: Moore Engineering, Inc., West Fargo, ND 58078, USA.
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ahlschlager
authors.affiliation: Moore Engineering, Inc., West Fargo, ND 58078, USA.
authors.forename: Kent
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ritterman
authors.affiliation: City of Fargo Wastewater Treatment Plant, Fargo, ND 58102, USA.
authors.forename: Jim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hausauer
authors.affiliation: City of Fargo Wastewater Treatment Plant, Fargo, ND 58102, USA.
authors.forename: Jeff
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hoff
authors.affiliation: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58108, USA.
authors.forename: Eakalak
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Khan
mesh_terms: D002713:Chlorine; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite; D014462:Ultrafiltration; D062065:Wastewater; D018508:Water Purification
chemical_list: D002713:Chlorine; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite; D062065:Wastewater
keywords: Fouling index; Membrane fouling; Transmembrane pressure; Ultrafiltration; Wastewater effluent reuse