AWWA MTC61156

The primary objectives of this study included: provide a better understanding of the chemical (e.g., natural organic matter [NOM] types) and physical (e.g., permeate flux) aspects of NOM fouling; evaluate the hydraulic reversibility of NOM fouling; and, explore the potential methods of fouling control. In order to interpret these objectives, natural waters predetermined to be dominated by representative types of NOM were employed to challenge several commercial low pressure hollow fiber (LPHF) membranes under well-controlled experimental conditions. The materials and methods discussion includes: natural water samples; low pressure, hollow fiber membranes; bench scale filtration unit; filtration protocol; and, size exclusion chromatograph (SEC). The results discussion included: effects of NOM and membrane type on total fouling; effects of permeate flux on fouling; effect of NOM type on hydraulically irreversible fouling; effects of backwashing flux on hydraulically irreversible fouling; chemically irreversible fouling; and, SEC characterization of NOM. Includes 6 references, tables, figures.