Many utilities are considering low-pressure membranes (microfiltration/ultrafiltration) as an
advanced treatment option to meet future regulations and to protect public health. There are
many possible process configurations and each has performance, operational, and cost
implications. The purpose of this paper is to present a strategy for evaluating membrane
process configurations and systems. This strategy involves designing pilot-scale studies,
evaluating the results, and formulating design criteria.
The implementation of this membrane selection strategy is demonstrated for a utility in the
Metropolitan Salt Lake City area, which is planning a new 70 mgd water treatment plant. Two
treatment trains involving membranes were evaluated. A membrane selection framework in
which membrane systems were examined and screened is described. A pilot-scale study was
conducted to determine the performance of the three membrane systems selected, in each
train. The design of the pilot-scale tests is presented and results from these evaluations are
discussed and interpreted. Includes reference, table, figures.