Optimization of Ceramic Ultrafiltration Membranes for Stormwater Treatment and Trace Megal Removal

Stormwater in urban watersheds is often contaminated with suspended solids, oil and grease, and various metals, and ceramic membranes may offer a robust option for treating all of these. In this study, an active stormwater treatment process consisting of ceramic ultrafiltration (CUF) with a solids contact loop followed by oxidative filtration was demonstrated at pilot scale. Solids contact was shown to be important for stable CUF operation, and after sufficient solids buildup in the loop <1 NTU filtrate and good cake filtration were achieved. Extensive studies of chemical pretreatment showed that coagulant and calcium polysulfide were required to remove copper, zinc, and lead at the CUF. Iron and manganese that passed through the CUF were removed by oxidative filtration.

This presentation is available to AMTA Members only.