Comparison of methods to assess the integrity and separation efficiency of ultrafiltration membranes in wastewater reclamation processes

Krahnstöver, Thérèse; Hochstrat, Rita; Wintgens, Thomas

doi:10.1016/j.jwpe.2018.06.008

Cited by 18 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…The pore size of UF membranes is much smaller than the length or width of individual cells, therefore theoretically even single cells should not be observed in the permeate. Nevertheless, the presence of prokaryotic cells in the permeate after UF is indicated by many authors [ 31 , 46 , 80 , 81 ]. Membrane pores smaller that the cell sizes could be penetrated by microorganisms due to their pressure deformation [ 46 , 80 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ultrafiltration Process in Disinfection and Advanced Treatment of Tertiary Treated Wastewater

et al. 2021

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The paper presents the results of research on the use of ultrafiltration, using membranes of 200 and 400 kDa separation, for disinfection of municipal treated wastewater. The research was conducted on a fractional technical scale using real municipal treated wastewater from two large wastewater treatment plants treating most of the wastewater over the one-million polycentric Gdańsk agglomeration (1.2 million inhabitants). UF 200 kDa and UF 400 kDa processes enabled further improvement of the physical and chemical parameters of treated wastewater. Total phosphorus (to below 0.2 mg/L–UF 200 kDa, 0.13 mg/L–UF 400 kDa) and turbid substances (to below 0.2 mg/L, both membranes) were removed in the highest degree. COD was reduced efficiently (to below 25.6 mgO2/L–UF 200 kDa, 26.8 mgO2/L–UF 400 kDa), while total nitrogen was removed to a small extent (to 7.12 mg/L–UF 200 kDa and 5.7 mg/L–UF 400 kDa. Based on the reduction of indicator bacteria; fecal coliforms including E. coli (FC) and fecal enterococci (FE) it was found that the ultrafiltration is an effective method of disinfection. Not much indicator bacterial were observed in the permeate after processes (UF 200 kDa; FC—5 CFU/L; FE—1 CFU/L and UF 400 kDa; FC—70 CFU/L; FE—10 CFU/L. However, microscopic analysis of prokaryotic cells and virus particles showed their presence after the application of both membrane types; TCN 3.0 × 102 cells/mL–UF 200 kDa, 5.0 × 103 cells/mL–UF 400 kDa, VP 1.0 × 105/mL. The presence of potentially pathogenic, highly infectious virus particles means that ultrafiltration cannot be considered a sufficient disinfection method for treated wastewater diverted for reuse or discharged from high load wastewater treatment plants to recreational areas. For full microbiological safety it would be advisable to apply an additional disinfection method (e.g., ozonation).

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ultrafiltration Process in Disinfection and Advanced Treatment of Tertiary Treated Wastewater

et al. 2021

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“…24 In addition to chemical parameters, microbial contaminants have been used to monitor the membrane integrity. Plate counting of bacteria, such as Escherichia coli (E. coli), is considered the conventional approach 2,25 While being an effective indicator, the application of plate counting is limited by the significant time delay between sampling and the result. 25 Next to plate counting, flow cytometry (FCM) has been considered an alternative for water quality monitoring.…”

Section: Lastly Abrasion By Particulates and Sharp Objects In The Feedmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of Membrane Integrity Monitoring Methods for Hollow Fiber Nanofiltration Membranes: Applicability in Gray Water Reclamation Systems

Rutten,

Ojobe,

Hernández Leal

et al. 2023

ACS EST Water

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Source-separated gray water reclamation using nanofiltration as an advanced post-treatment option has received substantial interest in meeting the growing water demand. During reclamation, membrane integrity is crucial to ensure the water’s safety. This study evaluated several chemical and novel microbial indicators as indirect membrane integrity-monitoring methods for hollow fiber nanofiltration membranes in reclamation schemes. Under normal conditions, high retention of divalent ions and organic matter and near-complete removal of Escherichia coli (E. coli) were observed. Limited removal of the antibiotic gene (ARG) tetO was observed due to low feed concentrations and a higher detection limit (LOD). While 16S rRNA and ARG sul1 were not limited by their LODs, lower removals were observed, most likely due to free-floating DNA passing through the membranes. A broken fiber in a pilot-scale module reduced organic matter and microorganism removal substantially, while flux and ion rejection remained similar. Predictions made using the observed results and a previously proposed model allowed for the evaluation of the selected methods in upscaled reclamation systems. Based on these results, it was concluded that microorganisms could be employed as indicators in indirect membrane integrity-monitoring methods in large-scale reclamation schemes, while UV254nm absorbance (used in organic matter determination) could be a viable solution in pilot-scale systems.

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“…For ultrafiltration, Khahnstover et al [ 177 ] published a comparison of different methods that can be used to assess integrity and separation efficiency. Nanoparticle counting was found to be the most sensitive method overall in terms of lowest LRV values reported.…”

Section: Wastewater Treatment For Virus Removalmentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of wastewater treatment plants as tools for SARS-CoV-2 early detection and removal

Lesimple

Jasim

Johnson

et al. 2020

Journal of Water Process Engineering

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Comparison of methods to assess the integrity and separation efficiency of ultrafiltration membranes in wastewater reclamation processes

Cited by 18 publications

References 36 publications

Ultrafiltration Process in Disinfection and Advanced Treatment of Tertiary Treated Wastewater

Ultrafiltration Process in Disinfection and Advanced Treatment of Tertiary Treated Wastewater

Evaluation of Membrane Integrity Monitoring Methods for Hollow Fiber Nanofiltration Membranes: Applicability in Gray Water Reclamation Systems

The role of wastewater treatment plants as tools for SARS-CoV-2 early detection and removal

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