Reverse Osmosis and Nano Filtration

MEMBRANE FILTRATION PROCESSES
A membrane is a device, usually made of an organic polymer, that allows the passage of
water and certain constituents, but rejects others above a certain physical size or molecular
weight. A membrane that is permeable to some components in a feed solution and
impermeable to other components is called a semi-permeable membrane. Filtration involves
the separation of particulate and colloidal matter from a liquid. The role of the membrane is
to serve as a selective barrier that will allow the passage of certain constituents and will retain
other constituents found in the liquid.
Physical and chemical processes used in water reclamation that bring about treatment by the
isolation of particular constituents by use of a membrane are called membrane filtration
processes. The isolated constituents are concentrated into a waste stream that must be
managed. The influent water supplied to the membrane system for treatment is known as the
feed water. The liquid that has passed through the membrane is known as the permeate. The
portion of the feed water that does not pass through the membrane is known as the retentate
(also referred to as concentrate, reject or waste stream). Flux, the rate at which permeate
flows through the membrane is the principal measure of membrane performance. Flux is
synonymous with the concept of filter hydraulic loading rate.
Membrane processes include;

 Microfiltration (MF)
 Ultrafiltration (UF)
 Nanofiltration (NF)
 Reverse Osmosis (RO)
 Electrodialysis (ED)
The membrane processes can be classified in a number of different ways including membrane
configuration, the type of material from which the membrane is made, the nature of the
driving force, the separation mechanism and the nominal size of the separation achieved. The
distinguishing characteristic of the first four membrane processes listed above, i.e., excluding
electrodialysis which requires electromotive force, is the application of hydraulic pressure, or
vacuum, as the driving force to bring about the desired separation. The pressure driven
membrane filtration processes are further defined as “low pressure” which includes
microfiltration and ultra filtration and “high pressure” which includes nanofiltration and
reverse osmosis.
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF HIGH PRESSURE MEMBRANE

FILTRATION PROCESSES.
Membrane Membrane Typical Typical Typical Membrane details
Process Driving Separation pore size, operation Materials Configuration
Force Mechanism m range, m
- Cellulosic
- Aromatic
polyamide
Sieve + - Polysulfane
Solution / 0.0009 (PS)
Micropores
Nanofiltration diffusion + To - Polyvinylidene
(< 2nm)
exclusion 0.01 fluoride (PVDF)
Hydrostatic
- Thin-film Spiral wound,
pressure
composite hollow fibre,
difference
(TFC) thin film
in closed
composite.
vessels.
- Cellulosic
- Aromatic
0.0001
Solution / polyamide
Reverse Dense To
diffusion + - Thin-film
Osmosis (< 2nm) 0.002
exclusion composite
(TFC)
Hollow fibre configuration

Spiral wound configuration
OPERATIONAL MODES HIGH PRESSURE MEMBRANE FILTRATION
PROCESSES.
Two different operational modes are used pressure driven membrane filtraton processes;
1. Cross-Flow Mode
In the cross-flow mode, the feed water is pumped more or less tangentially to the
membrane. The accumulation of particulate matter on the surface of the membrane
can be controlled by the shear force of the fluid velocity. The differential pressure
across the membrane causes a portion of the feed water to pass through the
membrane. Water that does not pass through the membrane is recirculated back to the
membrane after blending with influent feed water or is recirculated to a blending (or
balancing) tank. In addition, a portion of the water that did not pass through the
membrane is bled off for separate processing and disposal. The cross-flow mode is the
flow pattern in spiral-wound membranes.
2. Dead-End Mode
It is also known as direct feed or perpendicular feed. In this mode, there is no cross-
flow or liquid waste stream during the permeate production mode. All of the water
applied to the membrane passes through the membrane. Particulate matter that cannot
pass throughb the membrane pores is retained on the membrane surface. Dead-end
filtration is most effective when the concentration of partculate matter is low or where
the accumulated material does not cause a rapud headloss buildup. Dead-end filtration
is used both for pre-treatment and where the filtered water is to be used directly.
REVERSE OSMOSIS
When two solutions having different solute concentrations are separated by a semipermeable
membrane, a difference in chemical potential will exist across the membrane. Water will tend
to diffuse through the membrane from the lower concentration (higher-potential) side to the
higher concentration (lower-potential) side. This phenomenon is called forward osmosis.
In a system having a finite volume, flow continues until the pressure difference balances the
chemical potential difference. This balancing pressure difference is referred to as the osmotic
pressure and is a function of the solute characteristics and concentration and temperature. If a
pressure gradient, opposite in direction and greater than the osmotic pressure, is imposed
across the membrane, flow from the more concentrated to the less concentrated region will
occur. This phenomenon is termed as reverse osmosis.
Reverse osmosis can be defined as the rejection of dissolved constituents by preferential
diffusion using a pressure-driven, semipermeable membrane. It can remove particles as small
as approximately 0.0001m.
Reverse osmosis is used primarily for desalination. In wastewater treatment, it is used for the
removal of dissolved constituents from wastewater, remaining after advanced treatment with
depth filtration or micro filtration.
NANOFILTRATION
Nanofiltration is a pressure driven membrane separation process used to remove colloidal and
dissolved material as small as approximately 0.001m. It is also known as “loose RO” or
“low pressure RO”.
Nanofiltration is used for the removal of selected dissolved constituents from wastewater
such as the multivalent metallic ions responsible for hardness. For this reason, nanofiltration
is the preferred method for water softening.
The advantages of nanofiltration over lime softening include;
 The production of a product water that meets the most stringent reuse water quality
requirements.
 Because both inorganic and organic constituents and bacteria and viruses are
removed, disinfection requirements are minimized.
APPLICATION OF REVERSE OSMOSIS AND NANOFILTRATION IN
TREATMENT OF WASTEWATER.
Reverse Osmosis and Nano Filtration can be used for removal of specific constituents found
in wastewater which include;
 Biodegradable organics
 Hardness
 Heavy metals
 Nitrate
 Priority organic pollutants
 Synthetic organic compounds
 Bacteria
 Protozoa
 Viruses
PROCESS DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS FOR NANOFILTRATION AND REVERSE

OSMOSIS SYSTEMS.
1. Pre-treatment
Pre-treatment must be evaluated to extend membrane life, and issues such as flow
equalization, pH control, chemical treatment, and residual solids removal should be
considered.
Methods of pre-treatment for nanofiltration and reverse osmosis systems.

A very high-quality feed is required for efficient operation of a nanofiltration or
reverse osmosis unit. Membrane elements in the reverse osmosis unit can be fouled by
colloidal matter and dissolved constituents in the feed water.
It is also important to ensure that there is regular cleaning of the membrane elements
(about once a month) to restore and maintain the membrane flux.
The methods of pre-treatment are as follows;

Method of pre-treatment Material to be removed
Depth or surface filtration (UF & MF) Particulate matter and colloidal particles
Cartridge filter Particulate matter
Disinfection Microorganisms
pH adjustment Scale formation
Antiscalants Scale formation
Ion exchange Iron and Manganese
Chemical treatment Sparingly soluble salts
2. Feed water characterization

Complete characterization of the feed water is essential for identifying constituents
that produce a high potential for membrane fouling. The effect of residual suspended
solids in the influent to the membranes especially should be evaluated.
3. Flux rate
Flux rate influences system costs by establishing the filter area, affecting polarization
control, and affecting membrane life.
4. Membrane fouling
This is the process by which the particles, colloidal particles, or solute
macromolecules are deposited or adsorbed onto the membrane pores or onto a
membrane surface by physical and chemical interactions or mechanical action, which
results in smaller or blocked membrane pores. It affects pre-treatment needs, cleaning
requirements, operating conditions, cost and performance. It can be controlled by pre-
treatment of feed water, membrane backflushing and chemical cleaning of
membranes.
5. Membrane cleaning
Proper membrane cleaning procedures and frequency need to be established.
6. Membrane life
Use of a long-lasting membrane technology is economical and efficient.
7. Recovery
Recovery rate affects solute rejection, membrane performance, and brine generation
volumes.
8. Operating and maintenance costs

High pressure systems require significant energy costs, high capital costs for high
pressure pumps, and high maintenance costs associated with equipment water. After
membrane replacement, energy is the next major operating expense.
9. Recycle flows
Provisions for recycling a portion of the product water should be included as an
operating consideration to control membrane velocity, influent concentration, and
equalizing influent flow variations.
10. Retentate and backwater disposal

Retentate and backwash characteristics need to be considered especially if the
chemicals are used in pre-treatment or membrane cleaning and large volumes of waste
require disposal.

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MEMBRANE FILTRATION PROCESSES

Membrane processes include;

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF HIGH PRESSURE MEMBRANE

Hollow fibre configuration

PROCESS DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS FOR NANOFILTRATION AND REVERSE

Methods of pre-treatment for nanofiltration and reverse osmosis systems.

The methods of pre-treatment are as follows;

2. Feed water characterization

8. Operating and maintenance costs

10. Retentate and backwater disposal

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