APPLICATIONS OF MEMBRANE TECHNOLOGIES IN WATER REUSE FIELDS

Abstract

This paper presents the application of microfiltration and reverse osmosis membrane technologies in water reuse and recycle projects within the power industry, through one pilot scale and two full-scale case studies. The paper also describes a relatively new microfiltration technology, based on ZeeWeed®, a shell-less, outside-in hollow fibre membrane immersed into a process tank and operated by applying a small suction to the membrane’s lumen. Operating at differential pressures of -7 to -55 kPa, the immersed membrane is an energy efficient membrane. In addition to its low energy consumption, offers a number of advantages e.g. chlorine and oxidant resistance, exceptional durability, small footprint, low infrastructure costs and allowance to high suspended solids. These features provide flexibility to a membrane plant, which in turn allows for treatment of a variety of streams.