AWWA WQTC65965

The objective of this powerpoint presentation was to optimize the aeration and backwash methods to minimize membrane fouling and energy consumption for submerged microfiltration (SMF) process. Experimental methods included: non-aeration filtration; periodic aeration filtration; and, continuance aeration filtration. Experimental materials are presented along with comparisons of aeration methods. The experimental results indicate that: the extent of fouling was significantly dependent on water quality and aeration methods; the major foulant was mainly particles in summer; feed water turbidity was less than 30 NTU, CAF and PAF were both effective to control membrane fouling; the energy consumption for aeration was much smaller for NAF than for CAF; and, this result suggests that NAF or PAF is required for low turbidity feed water. However, both were not effective to retard membrane fouling for the case of high turbidity feed water. Accordingly, IAF seems to be useful for feed water with large variations of water quality because they could reduce membrane fouling with moderate energy consumption. Includes tables, figures.