In Search of the (Membrane) Holy Grail: A 20-Year Journey
Mark Benjamin
Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Washington
ABSTRACT: Natural organic matter (NOM) is universally recognized as a major foulant of membranes used for drinking water treatment. The fouling has been attributed to adsorption of NOM in membrane pores and/or to formation of a gel layer that covers the membrane surface. Colloids, humics, and polysaccharides have each been implicated as major contributors to this fouling material. Most efforts to reduce the impact of this fouling have focused on pretreatment with conventional coagulants or powdered activated carbon. We have developed a new micron-sized, granular adsorbent by mild heating of aluminum hydroxide and demonstrated that it can adsorb NOM rapidly and more efficiently than conventional additives.
