Case Study
Brushy Creek, TX Improves Microfiltration Performance
with Pall Services
Overview
The Brushy Creek Municipal Utility District
(BCMUD) in Brushy Creek, TX contracted Pall
in 2014 to perform a process study of a
microfiltration system first commissioned in
2006, and expanded in 2009. Growth
projections completed in 2013 prompted the
District to evaluate their system and plan for
the future. The source water consists of ground
water and surface water from Lake Georgetown,
located in Round Rock, Texas.
The Challenge
After years of operation and changes in
personnel and the mix of ground and surface
water, cleaning protocols at BCMUD changed
from the original recommendations provided by
Pall. Also, the older USV modules (from 2006)
had exhibited an observed decline in
permeability over time which was not exhibited
with the newer UNA modules, which were
installed during the expansion in 2009. In 2013
Bury & Partners, Inc., and engineering firm,
recommended to the District that Pall conduct
an assessment of the current practice and
evaluate the module’s capability to meet future
demand.
The Solution
A comprehensive system review of the
membranes and ancillary equipment was
conducted in 2014. A process study test plan
was created with input from the Customer and
Consulting Engineer. and was followed as a
guide to ensure the goals of the process study
were focused.
An on-site visit by the process engineer
facilitated the process of discovery and
listening/understanding what the Customer
needs were, and also afforded the opportunity
to challenge the ‘status quo’.
Bushy Creek Municipal Utility District, Bushy Creek, Texas
Operational set points were reviewed and the
technical basis for adjustments were discussed
based on Pall’s most recent standards. TCEQ
requirements were included in the discussions,
incorporating any impact on operational
procedures and set points to ensure the
regulatory guidelines continued to be met.
One rack was selected for evaluation and
operated at design condition for 45 days to
assess performance and confirm production
and recovery values. The Customer
participated in bi-weekly teleconferences to
review the performance results and ask any
questions during the test period. A technical
review meeting was held following the issuance
of the written report to review the conclusion
and recommendations of the study.
Results
The review led to the following process
improvements:
• Resolved datalog collection discrepancy,
resulting in improved reporting accuracy.
• Operational limitations of the older USV
modules were identified, and Pall provided
guidelines for cleaning intervals.
• Approval of expanded source water
blending of well water and surface water,
which gave the Customer more operational
flexibility.
• The CIP cleaning effectiveness using
standard CIP protocol recommended by Pall
was demonstrated. Evaluated and granted
up to 60 day CIP cleaning interval during
lower finished water demand period (winter
months).
• Chemical cost savings using Pall CIP
protocol estimated benefit of $10,000
annually based on average 45 day CIP
interval.
• Repair, replace and upgrade
recommendations were provided for system
hardware and software.
• Showed customer how to leverage system
functionality that was not being used,
including Auto TMP, a feed pump energy
saving routine, and Auto EFM
• Updated flux maintenance routine to current
guidelines which resulted in reduced
backwash waste by 25% and improved
system recovery.
Photos Courtesy and Copyright © 2014 Brushy Creek Water.
Process Systems
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May 2015