AWWA MTC61212

A fouling control procedure was developed using the critical flux concept in combination with rapid back-pulsing for microfiltration and ultrafiltration treatment of agricultural drainage waters. Agricultural drainage waters obtained from the Alamo River in Calipatria, California were analyzed through a size fractionation water quality analysis procedure to determine the physicochemical properties of potential foulants. Identification of the critical flux and optimization of rapid back-pulsing were performed using direct microscopic observation with model foulants and membranes. The optimized operating parameters established by direct observation were then applied to pilot-scale hollow fiber microfiltration (MF) and ultrafiltration (UF) modules treating water sampled from the Alamo River. Results suggest that most foulants were reversibly deposited at the critical conditions and easily removed by rapid back-pulses. Includes 15 references, tables, figures.