Membrane Integrity Monitoring: The Key to Granting Microbial Removal Credits

摘要

This work is based on an ongoing AWWARF research project on integrity testing of low-pressure membrane processes. The project includes an evaluation of existing and improved membrane integrity monitoring methods through testing at full-scale plants representing different membrane systems. The project approach focuses on surveying, full-scale testing, and validation of several existing and improved or newly developed integrity monitoring methods. This paper focuses on describing the membrane integrity monitoring methods, testing methodology, and the role integrity monitoring can serve in the granting of microbial removal credits.rnMembrane integrity method classification into direct and indirect methods is described. Preliminary results from an international survey on the usage of different integrity methods are presented.rnThe link between detection ability of membrane integrity methods and removal credits is described. The well observed and known removal ability of MF/UF membranes, coupled with the relatively lower removal credits that are currently granted, indicate that the credits granted can be potentially increased or better determined if the integrity monitoring of membrane systems can be better understood, implemented, or improved.