Novel Membrane Technology to Improve Energy Efficiency and Water Savings in Wastewater Treatment Operations
Demonstration of amphiphilic membrane technology with anti-adhesive characteristics to increase energy and water savings.
Kennedy/Jenks Consultants
Recipient
Irvine, CA
Recipient Location
37th
Senate District
73rd
Assembly District
$736,251
Amount Spent
Completed
Project Status
Project Result
The project is complete. The pilot test showed that use of the amphiphilic membrane could be effective in minimizing membrane fouling and promoting energy efficiency, but that differences in water source or quality impact the extent of those performance improvements. Overall process energy usage under all pilot testing conditions was reduced by approximately 6 percent. However, chemical degradation of the membrane surface occurred during testing indicating that further work may be needed on the part of the manufacturer to evaluate special chemical resistance specifications and cleaning protocol. The results suggest that the ultrafiltration membrane module has potential benefit but is not yet market ready.
The Issue
Low-pressure membrane filtration, such as microfiltration and ultrafiltration, is used for drinking water, wastewater, and industrial water treatment. However, membrane treatment processes are energy intensive, largely due to membrane fouling (organic and inorganic) on the membrane surface and in the membrane pores which results in layered fouling that is difficult to remove and increased transmembrane pressure. The use of membrane treatment is likely to increase due to its ability to remove pathogens during drinking water treatment compared to conventionally used media filters, and to recent state initiatives to increase water reuse. [br /]
Project Innovation
This project was to demonstrate and assess the potential of an innovative amphiphilic, anti-adhesive membrane technology (developed by membrane manufacturer, inge/BASF) designed to minimize foulants onto membrane surface to improve the performance of membrane filtration systems used by drinking water and water reclamation agencies.
Project Goals
Project Benefits
A survey by the American Membrane Technologies Association (AMTA) indicates that there are approximately 100 microfiltration/ultrafiltration treatment plants with a total design capacity of approximately 400 MGD, eight nanofiltration facilities (30 MGD), and over 100 reverse osmosis (RO) facilities (400 MGD) in California. As membrane treatment is energy intensive due to fouling, this technology could reduce energy demand for membrane treatment processes while decreasing the water need for backwashing.
Affordability
Although this product is not market ready, it does have potential for energy savings. Even the variable performance observed during these pilot tests, the R&D membrane provided an average of 6 percent energy savings.
Environmental Sustainability
The technology could minimize chemical use for membrane cleaning and increase water yield by approximately 12 million gallons per day, or the amount of water for 58,000 people.
Key Project Members
Ganesh Rajagopalan
Joseph Drago
Subrecipients
BASE Energy , Inc.
Match Partners
Kennedy/Jenks Consultants
BASF
California Water Services
