Project ID: 2006AK49B

Title: Effect of Raw Water Characteristics on Membrane Fouling for Filtration of Surface Water with High Organic Matter Content

Project Type: Research

Congressional District: AK

Focus Categories: Treatment, Surface Water

Keywords: membrane filtration, DOM, Fouling, surface water

Principal Investigator: Schiewer, Silke (University of Alaska Fairbanks, WERC (Water & Environmental Research Center))

Federal Funds: $32,046

Non-Federal Matching Funds: $10,545

Abstract: Membrane filtration can be used to produce quality drinking water from surface water with high organic matter content. However, organic matter often leads to severe fouling of membranes during this process. The goal of this research is to investigate the extent to which charge effects (attraction, repulsion) can explain the impact of known important process parameters (pH, ionic strength, divalent cation concentration) on fouling and filtration effectiveness. Through systematic variation of these parameters for different membranes and classes of organic matter, their impact will be evaluated, and recommendations for an effective process design that minimizes fouling will be made.

Progress/Completion Report, PDF