Application and challenges of membrane in surface water treatment

Abstract

Herein, we reviewed NOM and its components as the major membrane foulants during the separation and purification of water works. In addition, possible fouling mechanisms relating to NOM fouling, current techniques employed to characterize fouling mechanisms and methods to control fouling were briefly discussed. Conventional water treatment which involves a train of operating units such as coagulation, flocculation and sand filtration consumes substantial spaces and high Hydraulic Retention Time (HRT). Besides that it relies most on chemical consumption such as aluminium sulphate, ferric chloride and poly-aluminium chloride which end up as sludge waste contaminated with aluminium or ferric oxides. Furthermore, the chemical reaction between Natural Organic Matter (NOM) and disinfectant agent such as chlorine or chloramines has been extensively reported to form carcinogenic Disinfection By-Product (DBPs) which is potential in causing deleterious cancers diseases. Therefore, a more reliable and greener technology such as membrane technology has been employed as it possesses better capability in producing water of exceptional quality and practicality over the conventional treatment process. However, the widespread of this potential feature is significantly restricted by fouling issue which reduces its productivity, permeate quality and treatment performance.