Ultrafiltration of Seawater Impacted by
Algal Organic Matter
Muhammad Tariq Khan*, Jean Philippe Croue*, Veronica G. Molina** and Nasir
Moosa**
*King Abdullah University of Science and Technology - Thuwal - Saudi Arabia
**Dow Water and Process Solutions - Tarragona - Spain
Water Desalination and Reuse Center
King Abdullah University of Science &
Technology (KAUST)
Background
2
3
Source: K. B. Padmakumar et al., 2012
Occurence of HABs in Oman
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
source: A. Al Azri - HAB’s
workshop Oman (Feb. 2012)
Arabian Gulf
Gulf Of
Oman
Red Tide Event (2008)
4
Trichodesmium sp.
5
Lepidodinium chlorophorum
(Claquin et al., 2008)
Chaetoceros affinis
(Villacorte et al., 2013)
Gonyaulax fragilis (Pompei
et al, 2003)
Gonyaulax hyalina
(MacKenzie et al., 2002).
6
Materials and Methods
7
Main Goal
Efficient use of UF membrane technology, especially during algal bloom events.
Objectives of This Study
Determination of
 Interactions between AOM and membrane? Reversible and Irreversible fouling.
 Role of membrane material characteristics: PVDF Vs PES.
 Impact of mode of Operation: Out/In VS In/Out
8
Hymenomonas sp. (HYM) Prymnesiophicae (≈ 8 μm), a Coccolithophores
10 µm
cell
Algae grown in F/2 Guillard
Medium, prepared using
0.45 µm filtered Seawater
1.2 µm Filtered to
remove the cells
Optical Microscopic image of Hymenomonas sp.
9
40
200
Chlorophyll- a
TOC
180
Increase in AOM
35
Stationary Phase
Increase in Cells
160
140
25
120
20
100
80
15
60
TOC (mg C/L)
Chlorophyll- a (ug/L)
30
10
40
5
20
0
0
5
10
15
20
25
Time (Days)
30
35
0
40
10
Feed, backwash and Chemical Inlets
Flow Rate Controllers
data acquisition
11
Comparison between Two Commercial UF Fibers While Using
Hymenomonas sp. Culture
Synthetic
Seawater
+
AOM: HYM (1.2
µm Filtered)
Membrane A
Material: PVDF
Pore Size:
20-25 nm
Operation: O/I
Membrane
Performance Data
Permeability
Features
and
Fouling Indices
Membrane
Performance Data
Membrane B
Material: PES
Pore Size:
25-30 nm
Operation: I/O
Rejection of
Organics
12
Filtration Results
13
Average HIFI:8.5 (2.06) x10-4 m2 /L
CEB after 10 Cycles
CIFI: 1.19 X10-4m2 /L
14
Average HIFI:1.7 (0.64) x10-4 m2 /L
CEB after 10 Cycles
CIFI: 0.2 X10-4m2 /L
15
0.167
3.583
7
10.417
13.833
17.25
20.667
24.083
27.5
30.917
34.333
37.75
41.167
44.583
48
51.417
54.833
58.25
61.667
65.083
68.5
71.917
75.333
78.75
82.167
85.583
89
92.417
95.833
99.25
102.667
106.083
109.5
112.917
116.333
119.75
123.167
126.583
Signal
Biopolymers
3.5
Feed Water
3
1st Filtration
2.5
5th Filtration
10th Filtration
2
11th Filtration
1.5
15th Filtration
20 th Filtration
1
21st Filtration
25th Filtration
0.5
30 th Filtration
0
Time (Minutes)
16
0.167
3.583
7
10.417
13.833
17.25
20.667
24.083
27.5
30.917
34.333
37.75
41.167
44.583
48
51.417
54.833
58.25
61.667
65.083
68.5
71.917
75.333
78.75
82.167
85.583
89
92.417
95.833
99.25
102.667
106.083
109.5
112.917
116.333
119.75
123.167
126.583
Signal
Biopolymers
3.5
Feed Water
3
1st Filtration
2.5
5th Filtration
10th Filtration
2
11th Filtration
1.5
15th Filtration
20 th Filtration
1
21st Filtration
0.5
25th Filtration
30 th Filtration
0
Time (Minutes)
17
Membrane A
Membrane B
18
Effect of Chlorination (CEB) on Organic Rejection
For membrane A, decrease in rejection of organics, especially biopolymers.
For membrane B, little change in organic rejection is observed
Chorine Impact on membrane structural features?
Or
Impact of chlorine on organics accumulated on/in membrane structure?
19
Effect of Chlorination (CEB) on Organic Rejection
For membrane A, decrease in rejection of organics, especially biopolymers.
For membrane B, little change in organic rejection is observed
Chorine Impact on membrane structural features?
Or
Impact of chlorine on organics accumulated on/in membrane structure?
Recommendation
It is suggested that after CEB fibers should be rinsed for longer period before
getting the permeate to feed RO.
20
21