Membrane Processes
Membrane Processes
Membranes are used in water treatment to separate contaminants from water based on properties such as size or charge. Common membrane processes include microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, reverse osmosis, and electrodialysis.
Resources
The Role of Membranes in Potable Reuse
Water utilities are examining potable reuse as part of their master plan updates, looking at when and how potable reuse may become viable in the future.
The removal of trace constituents may be required in certain reuse applications such as aquifer recharge, surface water augmentation, direct potable reuse, and in industrial applications. Advanced technologies currently being adopted for removal of trace constituents include membrane bioreactors, MF, UF coupled with NF and RO membranes, and advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) that allow treatment to the quality level fit for the intended use.
AWWA M62 Membrane Applications for Water Reuse presents a comprehensive description of the issues related to applying membrane technologies in water reuse projects.
Desalination of Seawater
As worldwide fresh water supplies become increasingly stressed and world populations continue to grow, seawater desalination has become an increasingly sought-after alternative for new water supply in coastal areas. While three-quarters of the globe is covered with water, less than 0.3 percent is considered a renewable freshwater supply.
More than half of the population in the United States lives within 50 miles (80 kilometers) of a coast, so the use of seawater as a source for potable water production is of great interest, especially in areas with stressed and overdrawn freshwater resources.
Inland Desalination and Concentrate Management
The increased use of inland desalination has created a need for advancements in reliable, cost-effective, and environmentally sensitive means of concentrate management.
Coastal desalination facilities often discharge residual concentrate to the ocean; however, with inland facilities, concentrate conveyance lines to coastal areas are often cost prohibitive, requiring alternative concentrate disposal options or the use of costly zero liquid discharge (ZLD) technologies to eliminate concentrate discharge.
Technical Resources
Manuals
AWWA Standards
M38 Electrodialysis and Electrodialysis Reversal
Written for engineers and operators of electrodialysis and electrodialysis reversal systems, this manual provides detailed information on these processes as they relate to water treatment.
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M46 Reverse Osmosis and Nanofiltration
Selection, installation, operation, and maintenance of reverse osmosis and nanofiltration systems in water treatment.
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M53 Microfiltration and Ultrafiltration
Detailed technical information on MF and UF treatment processes for water operators, engineers, and utility management.
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M61 Desalination of Seawater
This manual provides technical and planning guidance for drinking water utilities that currently operate, are developing, or are considering desalination facilities.
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M62 Membrane Applications for Water Reuse
This manual presents a comprehensive description of the issues related to applying membrane technologies in water reuse projects.
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ANSI/AWWA B112 Microfiltration and Ultrafiltration Membrane Systems
The purpose of this standard is to provide a minimum set of requirements for MF and UF systems used for water and reclaimed water filtration systems. This standard is intended to assist with the design, procurement, installation, and commissioning of MF and UF systems.
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ANSI/AWWA B114 Reverse Osmosis and Nanofiltration Systems for Water Treatment
This standard delineates minimum requirements for reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF) membrane systems for water and reclaimed water treatment systems.
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ANSI/AWWA B116 Electrodialysis and Ion-Exchange Membrane Systems
This standard sets minimum requirements for ion-exchange membrane (IEM) systems such as electrodialysis (ED), electrodialysis reversal (EDR), electrodialysis metathesis (EDM), and electrodeionization (EDI) for water and reclaimed water treatment systems.
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ANSI/AWWA B130 Membrane Bioreactor Systems
This standard sets minimum requirements for membrane bioreactor (MBR) systems, including associated processes such as membrane aerated biofilm reactor (MABR) systems and anaerobic MBR systems, for water reclamation, water recovery, and/or wastewater treatment systems.
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Events With a Focus on Membranes
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Related Resources
Potable Reuse
The quality and quantity of conventional water supplies are increasingly affected by population growth, urbanization, prolonged and severe droughts, and climate change. With an increased pressure on water systems, a diversified portfolio of water sources is required to meet future water demands, ensure public health, and provide economic and environmental sustainability.
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Secrets of Longevity: How Membrane Properties Affect Long Term Performance
Given their life cycle cost and ability to meet more stringent water quality requirements, low-pressure membranes are increasingly replacing granular media filters. Two important characteristics determine a membrane’s service life: its physical strength and its permeability. While there are many factors at play in membranes’ long-term performance, the importance of their structural and morphological characteristics should be recognized.
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Improve Membrane System Performance and Reduce Costs
Although a relatively new technology, membrane systems are widely used for water filtration. To save money and increase reliability, take a proactive approach to membrane system operations by understanding the basics, following recommendations, and using updated design concepts
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Membrane Treatment: Operators Need to Understand Critical Concepts
The number of potable reuse projects in the United States has increased the need for operators who are knowledgeable about advanced water treatment processes, including membrane treatment technologies.
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Arkansas Wastewater Treatment Plant Installs Membrane Bioreactor System
The city of Decatur, Ark., recently retro-fitted its wastewater treatment plant with a new membrane bioreactor system, allowing the plant to increase its capacity to handle future growth in surrounding northwestern Arkansas communities. The challenging project required a system upgrade and expansion while using the wastewater treatment infrastructure in place and keeping the plant fully operational during the retrofit installation and commissioning. The system is the first of its kind in Arkansas.
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Committee Report: Membrane Processes
This review focuses on membrane technology research needs in the context of drinking water treatment. It considers practical issues like membrane piloting, scale-up, residuals discharge, and costs, as well as more fundamental issues like membrane polymers, surface characterization, biofouling, and modeling of the transport of dissolved and particulate species in membrane systems. It is concluded that because the period since this committee’s last report has been a fertile one for research, many new questions have arisen on both applied and fundamental issues in the development, use, and understanding of membrane processes in drinking water treatment.
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AWWA Policy Statements
AWWA’s policy statements are brief statements on protecting and improving water supply, water quality, management, and the interests of the public and the environment. They are written by consensus, subject to review and comment by AWWA committees, councils, and members. Because they represent AWWA’s position on these matters, they are approved by the AWWA Executive Committee of the board of directors.
Technical Committee Engagement
AWWA members are recognized globally for their industry expertise and their generosity in sharing that expertise for a better world through better water. AWWA members participate in committee activities, developing conference programs, writing technical manuals, developing standards, creating educational content and contributing to AWWA publications. Committee members primarily interact through conference calls, emails, and face to face meetings at conferences and events.
Membrane Processes and Research Committee
Membrane Technology Research Committee
Water Desalting Committee
Membrane Systems Subcommittee
Water Reuse Committee
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