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Assessment, Optimization, and Enhancement of Ultrafiltration (UF) Membrane Processes in Potable Water Treatment

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Date Issued:
2013
Abstract/Description:
This dissertation reports on research related to ultrafiltration (UF) membranes in drinking water applications. A pilot-scale investigation identified seasonal surface water quality impacts on UF performance and resulted in the development of a dynamic chemically enhanced backwash protocol for fouling management. Subsequent analysis of UF process data revealed limitations with the use of specific flux, transmembrane pressure (TMP), and other normalization techniques for assessing UF process fouling. A new TMP balance approach is presented that identifies the pressure contribution of membrane fouling and structural changes, enables direct process performance comparisons at different operating fluxes, and distinguishes between physically and chemically unresolved fouling. In addition to the TMP balance, a five component optimization approach is presented for the systematic improvement of UF processes on the basis of TMP variations. Terms are defined for assessing process event performance, a new process utilization term is presented to benchmark UF productivity, and new measures for evaluating maintenance procedures are discussed. Using these tools, a correlation between process utilization and operating pressures was established and a sustainable process utilization of 93.5% was achieved. UF process capabilities may be further enhanced by pre-coating media onto the membrane surface. Silicon dioxide (SiO2) and powdered activated carbon (PAC) are evaluated as pre-coating materials, and the applicability of the TMP balance for assessing pre-coated membrane performance is demonstrated. The first use of SiO2 as a support layer for PAC in a membrane pre-coating application is presented at the laboratory-scale. SiO2-PAC pre-coatings successfully reduced physically unresolved fouling and enhanced UF membrane organics removal capabilities.
Title: Assessment, Optimization, and Enhancement of Ultrafiltration (UF) Membrane Processes in Potable Water Treatment.
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Name(s): Boyd, Christopher, Author
Duranceau, Steven, Committee Chair
Cooper, Charles, Committee Member
Randall, Andrew, Committee Member
, Committee Member
University of Central Florida, Degree Grantor
Type of Resource: text
Date Issued: 2013
Publisher: University of Central Florida
Language(s): English
Abstract/Description: This dissertation reports on research related to ultrafiltration (UF) membranes in drinking water applications. A pilot-scale investigation identified seasonal surface water quality impacts on UF performance and resulted in the development of a dynamic chemically enhanced backwash protocol for fouling management. Subsequent analysis of UF process data revealed limitations with the use of specific flux, transmembrane pressure (TMP), and other normalization techniques for assessing UF process fouling. A new TMP balance approach is presented that identifies the pressure contribution of membrane fouling and structural changes, enables direct process performance comparisons at different operating fluxes, and distinguishes between physically and chemically unresolved fouling. In addition to the TMP balance, a five component optimization approach is presented for the systematic improvement of UF processes on the basis of TMP variations. Terms are defined for assessing process event performance, a new process utilization term is presented to benchmark UF productivity, and new measures for evaluating maintenance procedures are discussed. Using these tools, a correlation between process utilization and operating pressures was established and a sustainable process utilization of 93.5% was achieved. UF process capabilities may be further enhanced by pre-coating media onto the membrane surface. Silicon dioxide (SiO2) and powdered activated carbon (PAC) are evaluated as pre-coating materials, and the applicability of the TMP balance for assessing pre-coated membrane performance is demonstrated. The first use of SiO2 as a support layer for PAC in a membrane pre-coating application is presented at the laboratory-scale. SiO2-PAC pre-coatings successfully reduced physically unresolved fouling and enhanced UF membrane organics removal capabilities.
Identifier: CFE0005088 (IID), ucf:50758 (fedora)
Note(s): 2013-05-01
Ph.D.
Engineering and Computer Science, Civil, Environmental and Construction Engineering
Doctoral
This record was generated from author submitted information.
Subject(s): ultrafiltration -- UF -- chemically enhanced backwash -- CEB -- pilot -- transmembrane pressure -- TMP -- balance -- fouling -- optimization -- utilization -- silicon dioxide -- powdered activated carbon -- PAC -- enhancement -- pre-coat -- support -- layer
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005088
Restrictions on Access: public 2013-11-15
Host Institution: UCF

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