There are new kinds of flow schemes that can reduce the cost of higher recovery seawater and brackish water systems. Under normal operating conditions, there is minimal mixing from the concentrate to the feed flow streams. This concept involves decreasing the low pressure system feed flow while maintaining the high pressure concentrate flow through...

Reducing the Environmental Footprint of Desalination Through Pre?Filtration...

Membrane Distillation (MD) is an established technology which has been proven to produce an extremely high quality product. Until recently it was limited to laboratories and small scale systems. Over 10 years ago a consortium of European governmental agencies, universities and corporations set out to further develop this technology as a low cost re...

It can be concluded that RO membrane fouling can be substantially reduced if not eliminated using a nano alumina filter prior to the RO membranes....

The City of Lubbock, Texas is conducting a program to connect to and utilize a new water source, Lake Alan Henry (LAH). This water source will be used to supply a new water treatment plant with an initial capacity of 15 mgd (57 Ml/d), expandable to 50 mgd (190 Ml/d) in the future....

Concentrate management represents the greatest barrier to the implementation of desalination technologies. Zero Liquid discharge (ZLD) options maximize water production while minimizing discharge managment issues. his project evaluates ZLD technologies and pretreatments that show promise for use in high organic carbon brackish waters....

Ceramic vs. Polymeric Membranes comparison...

Phase one of the pilot testing has shown that granular media filtration using Filtronics FV-03 Electromedia I can effectively remove both Fe and Mn from the influent well water....

This presentation provides the critical operational variables identified in the US EPA Membrane Filtration Guidance Manual, and described how these variables are used in calculating a log removal value (LRV) through a low pressure membrane system. This will provide operators with an understanding of how operating variables (flow, transmembrane pres...

The plant is the first 98% recovery membrane filtration plant to receive the maximum 4-log disinfection credit for cryptosporidium...

Membranes work! They are not a ?silver bullet?, but really just a filter that can That can achieve high levels of Giardia and Cryptosporidium removal....

This presentation covers brackish groundwater desalinationa pilot study. The study consists of four phases to evaluate three RO membranes (Toray, Hydranautics, and Dow FilmTec), two RO recoveries (85 and 90%), and multiple pre-treatment options (acid/antiscalant, raw water storage, and granular media filters). Permitting an RO membrane facility u...

The results within this report suggest that the discharge of reclaimed RO water may not deteriorate water quality of surface canals, and any of the three tested systems can be used to remove microconstituents and improve the quality of reclaimed water for surface water augmentation....

The purpose of this study was to identify the cause of the decreased production capacity and to develop operational improvements to recover the design net capacity....

Concentrate management represents the greatest barrier to the implementation of desalination technologies. This paper summarizes 22 configurations and technologies which may prove to minimize concentrate issues. Planning level cost estimates are developed for selected options....

The importance of reducing energy consumption has grown as more utilities, particularly in California, consider green house gas emissions reduction as a key parameter in their design and planning process. This presentation covers both conventional and innovative applications of energy recovery and present case studies, energy consumption, energy sa...

The purpose of this study was to determine the hardness and silica removal efficiency of conventional lime-soda ash softening of the primary RO concentrate using a novel high rate thickening softener. The softened effluent will be polished by dual media filters prior to a secondary RO treatment, and silica-tolerant electro-dialysis reversal (EDR) i...

This paper describes the pilot testing and retrofit of a CA UF drinking facility treating a degraded quality surface water which operates with ZLD. Challenges encountered during the project include: permtting, deteriorating source water quality and continued operations. Final design eliminates one stage, decreases flux by 15% and reduces energy a...

This is a paper not only about concentrate disposal and experiences in high usable product water recovery, but also about the basic considerations necessary to achieve that high membrane recovery....

Improving Nanofiltration Plant Performance The City of Pompano Beach Case Study...

An in depth discussion of environmental (green house gas emmissions) and cost factors is developed for three high profile desalination projects: Luggage Point, Australia; Australian Commonwealth Territory and Carlsbad, CA. The methodology employed is being utilized by the California Coastal Commision and identifies the costs and benefits, feasibil...

Implementation of low-pressure membrane systems requires many factors to be considered in order to have a successful design....

This paper talks about the permitting challenges and utiliziation of MBR in order to meet surface water discharge permit requirements for Hays County, Austin, Texas. The discharge goes to an iconic landmark which provides year round recreational swimming in the heart of Austin and is home to the Barton Springs Salamander. This is the first surf...

This paper addresses pretreatment options for sea water reverse osmosis and provides an understanding of the design issues and comparative effects of the membrane pretreatment process. Selected seawater desalination sites from the Middle East, Australia, Dubai, and the United States are compared; and although the choices among various membrane pre...

Lessons learned during two years of operation of the 27.5 mgd Kay Bailey Hutchison Desalination Facility in El Paso, Texas...

Innovative Applications of Fiberglass Reinforced Plastics in Seawater Reverse Osmosis Pretreatment...

The purpose of this study is to show that the sorption tendencies of trace organic contaminants can have an effect on steady-state rejection....

The presentation describes GE's approach to complying with the guidance provided in the USEPA membrane guidance manual as part of the Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT2). The presentation provides details of GE W&PT's approach to direct integrity testing and information on flow regime, ALCR, VCF and contact angle specific to GE...

Seawater desalination is a viable alternative for Coastal communities. Use of low angled wells (slant wells) produce ground water from near shore and offshore aquifer systems and provides a number of potential advantages over open ocean intake systems. The aquifer system provides natural filtration from suspended organic matter and sediment elimin...

This paper provides an overview of Direct Integrity Testing for Pressure-Based Tests. Membrane Integrity Testing has become the means of determining compliance with regulations. Testing pressure for pressure-based direct Integrity Testing is the most important parameter. The full-scale challenge test is the best indicator for the sensitivity a...

The objective of this study is to evaluate the economic, environmental, and technical benefits and challenges of offshore desalination facilities....

Using the feed spacer geometry of a commercially available spiral-wound reverse osmosis cartridge, we used computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to assess what change in the surface shear stress and concentration could be effected by the incorporation of a dynamic element that is excited by flow-induced vibration. We found that a cantilevered ribbon w...

A novel rotating flat sheet membrane bioreactor was introduced in the wastewater treatment market in 2002. It has since been installed in 20 municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants. Compared to other MBR systems, the special features and advantages of this technology are low energy demand through sequential cleaning, low energy costs, ...

A new method to separate boron from seawater was developed. A cost effective technology based on the reaction of glycidyl ether and amine showed particular promise. Using the technology, a compound was synthesized with glycidyl hexadecyl ether and N-methyl-D-glucamine at mild conditions. The compound showed exceptionally high boron absorption. In t...

The basic concepts of reverse osmosis technology is presented. Topics covered include membrane materials and construction, RO element details and an overview of RO systems....

An industrial manufacturer in Southern California utilizes city water in its manufacturing and testing processes. In order to meet the water quality needs of manufacturing, the potable water supply (with a total dissolved solids (TDS) varying from 400 to 500 parts per million (ppm)) was additionally treated at the manufacturing plant site using a f...

The process of recovering gauge pressure from SWRO desalination plants is a well known. Till now the osmotic pressure present in SWRO brine stream was not recovered. This paper presents a way that allows simultaneous power recovery of gauge and osmotic pressure. Simultaneous power recovery of both power sources gives a higher power yield the two pr...

This paper talks about lessons learned fom operation of the Ashkelon plant. The ?Pressure Center? design is suitable for large scale SWRO plants. For the next generation of SWRO plants, we are developing a list of ecologically friendly technologies: Multi frequency alarming system, for installation in intake structure to protect marine habitan...

This paper talks about how large SWRO and MBR projects are now competing on the same level as thermal technologies in the Middle East. Large MBR installations have been contracted in the area and the product water of these plant is now substituting for central cooling systems, industrial and irrigation purposes the more expensive distillate prev...

This paper reviews pretreatment of the 53 MGD RO treatment system for the Barcelona Desalination Plant. Pre-treatment is the key of a successful seawater reverse osmosis desalination plant. The selection of the intake location, pre-treatment design and validation through extensive pilot tests (pilot unit operated during engineering and constructi...

Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD) and other retail water agencies in south Orange County, California are planning to construct a new regional surface water treatment plant (Baker WTP) to improve the reliability of local potable water supply....

This Paper provides a snapshot of Microbial Characteristics and Membrane Permeate Flux at Varying MLVSS Concentrations in MBR. A better understanding of the microbial characteristics in MBRs can provide a way to reduce membrane cleaning requirements and maximize membrane Productivity. Microbial characteristics in MBRs are different from those in...

Environmental issues of entrainment and impingement can be significant drivers in the development of a coastal desalination facility. A variety of intake options were evaluated for the proposed Santa Cruz CA project. Depending upon the local hydro-geological conditions, feasible options for the project include an infiltration gallery and horizont...

The local wastewater authority as agreed to pay the Jupiter Water System for the nanofiltration by-product....

In this conceptual framework, the super-concentrate from the seawater RO in the demonstration plant was treated for calcium sulfate, magnesium, iron and silica precipitation. This paper describes the laboratory conditions used and observations made on the use of lime in preparation for scale-up....

In summary, the RO systems at the Village of Tequesta have performed almost flawlessly, have required little maintenance and needed no cleaning in eight years of operation....

The advent of the Long-Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT2ESWTR) marked the beginning of new era in the regulation of membrane technology for drinking water treatment....

This paper provides an overview of the LT2ESWTR membrane regulatory framework. The presentation will discuss the concept of integrity test resolution in detail, including an explanation of the relevent equations from the Membrane Filtration Guidance Manual and an overview of the ability of the various MF/UF manufacturers to comply with the require...

The Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) is proactively taking steps towards expanding their domestic water supply and service by investigating a new surface water treatment plant (SWTP) supplied by the Colorado River....

This paper provides a National perspective on Desalination Technology. The reports states that Desalination technology is being used to meet water supply demands in over 140 countries around the world, and international support for desalination research appears to be growing. Concentrate management remains an issue and can be a constraint. Bracki...

The objectives of this study were to optimize and increase the overall feed water recovery of the desalination process and thereby reduce concentrate volume....

A detailed pilot study has been conducted to evaluate the upper San Francisco Bay/lower Sacramento River Delta as a potential location for a new 71 mgd desalination treatment facility. Various membrane elements and pilot configurations were tested during a six month study, through periods of highly varying salinity and water quality. Results of the...

Use of Reverse Osmosis and Nanofiltration for Meeting Regulations and Addressing Potential Contaminants of Concern....

This paper will present results from the final phase of an on-going study exploring organic carbon removal from membrane concentrate by chemical treatment (coprecipitation with iron salts or lime softening) followed by solid-liquid separation....

Coastal Seawater Testing of a Full-Scale Microfiltation System Shipboard Reverse Osmosis Pretreatment...

This research project focused on direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) process, where hot brine flows on one side of a porous hydrophobic membrane and cold distillate flows on the other side. Water vapor evaporated from the hot brine flows through the hydrophobic membrane pores and is condensed in the cold distillate flowing on the other side...

The Novaflux two-phase flow process is very effective in cleaning Reverse Osmosis (RO) membranes fouled with dairy wastewater in a very short period of time. A higher liquid-to-air ratio is necessary to achieve effective cleaning for this type of foulant. Novaflux Technologies is confident that with well-maintained or new membranes, the two-phase ...

The purpose of this Pilot Study is to determine the most cost effective method of treating seawater for customers in and around Brownsville, Texas. This pilot represents the continuation of a State of Texas seawater desalination initiative begun in April 2002 when Governor Rick Perry tasked TWDB (Texas Water Development Board) with developing a pro...

This presentation provides several methods to calculate sensitivity for pressure-based integrity testing. The key is to relate the log reduction value (LRV) to the parameters integrity testing. An example calculation using the spreadsheet based on an actual membrane system is presented. The calculated result is compared with the measured LRV value...

The primary goal of this paper is to demonstrate that there is new technology available which uses two-phase flow to provide a cost-effective and proven way to apply external, tubular membranes to retrofitting existing plants to membrane bioreactors. Using a simple airlift to sustain the cross flow velocity and turbulence required, membrane flux ...

This paper describes the challenges with expansion of an exiting RO plant in its entirety including site work (paving, grading, and drainage), yard and process piping, new RO building, electrical/control building, vertical turbine pumps and other associated equipment. The success of the project was due to the continued efforts of the engineer and ...

This presentation provides an overwiew of the types and key performance parameters of high pressure reverse osmosis system feed pumps and energy recovery devices widely used for seawater desalination today. The presentaton describes alternative types of pumps and energy recovery devices, and explains their key advantages and disadvantages....

This paper investigates the efficiency of constructed wetlands for concentrate minimization as compared to traditional evaporation technologies. Using four halophyte species, it is expected that constructed wetlands may increase evaporation/evapotranspiration rates ten-fold....

Planning and implementing a seawater desalination plant is a complex process and requires action in many areas such as technical feasibility, design, funding, environmental considerations, public involvement, permitting and others. Pre-treatment of a seawater facility is one of the most important technical aspects of a seawater project. Selection...

Determining sensitivity for MF and UF system is one of the more complex aspects of regulatory compliance under the LT2ESWTR. This presentation will address the considerations associated with determining the Log Removal Value (LRV) of a MF/UF membrane system under the guidelines established by the rule. The discussion will focus upon the Pressure D...

When compared to treatment processes with separate reactors for nitrification and denitrification, the benefits of aerated anoxic biological wastewater treatment processes include lower power costs, lower construction costs, and improved effluent quality....

This paper evaluates various considerations to determine technical and economic feasibility of seawater treatment in the United States. Surface water modeling and testing to determine optimal intake locations to ensure consistent feed water quality is presented. The importance of pilot testing, pre-treatment design, and post-treatment stabilization...

This paper will discuss the additional capital investments that were made at this facility (James E. Anderson ROWTP) to ensure a long-term, sustainable and reliable potable supply for the City of Port St. Lucie, and the approximate pay-back period for such investments....

This presentation describes how different states use the USEPA membrane guidance manual to implement the Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT2). The focus is on direct integrity test acceptance, monthly reporting, challenge study test acceptance, and other state specific requirements such as pilot studies or fiber cut studies....

This project has faced numerous challenges including: pilot testing with a competitors product, design and construction by an OEM that is no longer in the water treatment business, broken fibers discovered during start up, no chemical feed equipment to control biofouling, remote location for supplies and service, and upstream process changes to add...

The presence of pharmaceuticals and personal care products in ambient water, drinking water and reclaim/reuse water has garnered growing regulatory and pubic concern. An oxido-reductase enzyme, laccase, shows promise in providing more effective treatment than advanced oxidation and biological degradation....

This paper describes how Reverse osmosis (RO) membrane is one of the most powerful tools for solving the global water crisis, and is used in a variety of water treatment scenes such as drinking water purification, waste-water treatment etc. Membranes are being developed RO membranes with characteristics suitable for various operating conditions. Re...

This paper addresses the trouble by bio-fouling in the desalination and presents a method for predicting the minimum chlorine concentration and injection time for controlling bio-fouling. Concerning research of RO membrane module suitable for a large-sized desalination plant, the large-sized RO module of the BOE type which is a new structure was d...

This paper is a proof of concept work that shows that lyotropic liquid crystal material can be used to construct membranes that perform seperations similar to RO. These LLC membranes potentially will be more resistant to biological fouling and chlorine degradation. Future research needs are also identified....

This research focuses on a versatile new platform of membrane surface treatments to reduce fouling in ultrafiltration, microfiltration, nanofiltration, and reverse osmosis membranes. The new methodology may be applied to existing membranes after manufacture and installation as well as to membranes during their manufacturing process....

The presentation will focus on the use of interstage processes to maixmize water recovery (and thereby minimize the volume of concentrate) in inland brackish water desalination. Two methodologies will be discussed: electrodialysis and a three-stage process of antiscalant oxidation, precipitation, and solid/liquid separation....

A laboratory investigation of electrodialysis shows that ED is technically feasible of treating brackish water RO concentrate and may prove to be a viable treatment option for minimizing brine production....

This presentation introduced the results of research regarding water recovery from silica-saturated RO concentrate. Our results indicated that we can get up to 85% of the water back from the concentrate by using a seawater RO system with appropriate pH control and antiscalant addition. This information is of significance to water plant operators be...

The presence of calcium sulfate in groundwater limits the degree to which water can be recovered by reverse osmosis. The ZDD (Zero Discharge Desalination) technology removes calcium sulfate as a solid that has potential commercial value. In the ZDD process, RO concentrate is treated by an electrodialysis (ED) process called EDM (electrodialysis met...

Capital and Energy Cost Reduction for Seawater Desalination...

Successful performance of SWRO systems relies upon high quality pre-treated water. Lessons learnt from three (3) different membrane pre-treatment installations: 1. Kindasa, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 2. Buzzard Platform. North Sea, UK; and 3. WSC, Mobile Ship based system is provided. It is concluded that MF/UF provides an excellent and consistent tre...

Update of Large vessel - based mobile Seawater Desalination Plants...

This paper provides an overview of a dozen seawater RO projects in California. The projects are at various stages of development and vary in size from medium-scale facilities (<1 mgd) serving smaller communities to large-scale facilities (10 mgd+). The author predicts at least 10 projects online and producing water by 2020. The paper also addre...

Laboratory toxicity testing of four typical test species (mussels, kelp, and minnows) demonstrated that there were no statisitcally observable adverse impacts from average brine concentrations. Additional work showed that the theoretical high brine discharge concentrations had no more impact than the average brine concentations. It is suggested t...