This two-phase study investigated iron (Fe) coagulation
followed directly by microfiltration (CMF) as
a treatment for removing arsenic (As) from
groundwater in Albuquerque, N.M. In the first phase,
bench-scale tests were conducted to determine the
effect of As oxidation state, pH, Fe dose, silica concentration,
mixing time, and filter pore size on As removal.
The second phase consisted of a pilot study to investigate
such variables as pH, Fe dose, mixing time and
energy, filtrate flux, and backwash interval.
The most important variables controlling As removal
were pH and Fe dose. As removals to <2 ¿¿g/L were
achieved using either a 7 mg/L Fe dose without deliberate
pH reduction or a smaller dose of 1.9 mg/L Fe after addition
of sulfuric acid to reduce pH to 6.4. Continuous
three- to five-day operation of the CMF pilot-scale process
verified efficient filter performance and showed no
increase in transmembrane pressure, even after five days.
CMF represents an innovative treatment technology
for removing arsenic (As) from groundwater. By eliminating
the flocculation step, the process offers water
providers savings in both space and cost. Designed to be
compact, CMF is especially useful for smaller systems or
larger systems where space is a constraint. Includes 25 references, table, figures.