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Effect of operation parameters on the flux stabilization of gravity-driven membrane (GDM) filtration system for decentralized water supply

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Abstract

A pilot-scale gravity-driven membrane (GDM) filtration system under low gravitational pressure without any pre-treatment, backwash, flushing, or chemical cleaning was carried out to investigate the effect of operation parameters (including operation pressure, aeration mode, and intermittent filtration) on the effluent quality and permeability development. The results revealed that GDM system exhibited an efficient performance for the removal of suspended substances and organic compounds. The stabilization of flux occurred and the average values of stable flux were 6.6, 8.1, and 8.6 Lm−2 h−1 for pressures of 65, 120, and 200 mbar, respectively. In contrast, flux stabilization was not observed under continuous and intermittent aeration conditions. However, aeration (especially continuous aeration) was effective to improve flux and alleviate membrane fouling during 1-month operation. Moreover, intermittent filtration would influence the stabilization of permeate flux, resulting in a higher stable flux (ranging from 6 to 13 Lm−2 h−1). The stable flux significantly improved with the increase of intermittent period. Additionally, GDM systems exhibited an efficient recovery of flux after simple physical cleaning and the analyses of resistance reversibility demonstrated that most of the total resistance was hydraulic reversible resistance (50–75 %). Therefore, it is expected that the results of this study can develop strategies to increase membrane permeability and reduce energy consumption in GDM systems for decentralized water supply.

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Acknowledgments

This research was jointly supported by the National Science Foundation for the Outstanding Youngster Fund (51522804), Major Science and Technology Program for Water Pollution Control and Treatment (2012ZX07404-003), Science and Technology Program for Public Wellbeing (2013GS370202-003), Science and Technology Planning Project of Chancheng District (2013A1044), and Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities. Moreover, the authors are so thankful to Nan Jiang and Dara S.M. Ghasimi (Technische Universiteit Delft) for their help in checking the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment (SKLUWRE), Harbin Institute of Technology, 73 Huanghe Road, Nangang District, Harbin, 150090, People’s Republic of China

    Xiaobin Tang, An Ding, Fangshu Qu, Haiqing Chang, Xiaoxiang Cheng, Bin Liu, Guibai Li & Heng Liang

  2. Jinan Water and Wastewater Monitoring Center, No. 68 Weiwu Road, Shizhong District, Jinan, 250021, China

    Ruibao Jia

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  1. Xiaobin Tang
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  2. An Ding
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  3. Fangshu Qu
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  4. Ruibao Jia
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  5. Haiqing Chang
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  6. Xiaoxiang Cheng
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  7. Bin Liu
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  8. Guibai Li
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  9. Heng Liang
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Correspondence to Heng Liang.

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Responsible editor: Angeles Blanco

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Tang, X., Ding, A., Qu, F. et al. Effect of operation parameters on the flux stabilization of gravity-driven membrane (GDM) filtration system for decentralized water supply. Environ Sci Pollut Res 23, 16771–16780 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-016-6857-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-016-6857-0

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