Typically, membrane module replacements have been completed on either an as needed basis due to integrity failure, or based on a fixed term, maximum operating period dictated by membrane warranty life, usually negotiated during membrane procurement. However, given that membrane replacement costs contribute a significant portion of the lifecycle costs of a membrane facility, municipalities may be interested in a performance-based means of determining the need for membrane replacement, as this may result in a substantial increase in the time between replacing membrane modules, and therefore a reduction in membrane replacement costs. The Georgina Water Treatment Plant is a 30 MLD (8 MGD) rated direct membrane filtration facility that supplies treated Lake Simcoe water to the Town of Georgina, located within the Regional Municipality of York. The facility includes 8 trains of GE ZeeWeed 500C membrane modules, where each train contains 4 cassettes of original modules (2002), and 3 cassettes of newer modules installed during an expansion of the WTP in 2012. Based on the 10-year membrane replacement cycle negotiated during membrane procurement, the original membranes were slated to be replaced in 2012 – 2014. However, the Georgina facility is not a continuous use facility – it is typically only operated 8 – 12 hours per day, and is off-line for the remainder. As such, the Region is interested in determining a means of gauging the actual remaining membrane life, as they would like to maximize the use of the membranes prior to replacement. The Region, in conjunction with CH2M, is currently completing a study to determine performance parameters that can be used to gauge current membrane performance against both original performance and typical end of life membrane performance. This includes an in-depth study of the physical condition of the membranes through fibre autopsy analysis, controlled operational studies between the original and expansion sets of membranes, and an exhaustive data review and summary of relevant operational and cleaning parameters. This information will be documented, and will be used to develop a “dashboard” SCADA tool that the Region will use to continuously monitor overall membrane performance, and indicate whether performance is approaching that associated with membranes that are reaching their end of usable life. This paper will outline the information that was developed and monitored during this study, will summarize the techniques used in the evaluation of the membrane performance, and will present an overview of the elements used in the “dashboard” development. It will be of keen interest to utility owners, operators and engineers interested in tools and techniques that can be used to develop indicators that can maximize the operational lifetime of membrane modules prior to replacement.
This presentation is available to AMTA Members only.
Speaker
- Jeff Beaty, PE / Laura Meteer, B.Sc / Alec Cranmer, PE
Company
- CH2M HILL, Inc. / Regional Municipality of York
Event
- AMTA/AWWA Membrane Technology Conference, Long Beach, CA
Session
- AMTA/AWWA Membrane Technology Conference
Date
- 02/14/17
Media
Keywords
- Membrane, Ultrafiltration, Optimization
Reference
- 9676-DP1980