Researchers investigated the use of ultralow-pressure
reverse osmosis (ULPRO) and nanofiltration (NF) membranes
for water reuse applications where lower operating
pressures and a high permeate quality are desired. A
laboratory-scale investigation was performed to compare
the rejection and operational performance of
reverse osmosis, ULPRO, and NF membranes and select
two for testing at a water facility in California. An
ULPRO membrane and an NF membrane were then
tested at pilot and full scale at a water recycling plant
and monitored in terms of operational performance and
rejection of total organic carbon, total nitrogen, and
regulated and unregulated organic micropollutants.
Pilot- and full-scale testing of the best-performing membranes
demonstrated that both ULPRO and NF membranes
could meet potable water quality requirements.
The presumed advantage of using ULPRO and NF
membranes diminished as fouling occurred, resulting in
operating pressures only slightly lower or similar to
traditional RO membranes. Includes 30 references, tables, figures.