State-of-the-art techniques in reverse osmosis, nanofiltration and electrodialysis in drinking-water supply

摘要

Several forces have been contributing to the growing interest in using membrane technology for the production of drinking water. Lack of adequate fresh water resoures was the original motivation for the development of membrane desalination. In the past several years, other driving forces have contributed to the progress that membranes are making for all applications of water treatment: 1. more stringent and often contradictory drinking-water quality regulations. The strengthening of disinfection requirements, together with the reduction of disinfection by-product levels make a physical pathogen removal process such as membranes very attractive; 2. growing interest in water reuse. In megalopolis and arid areas, waste water has become a resource. The broad spectrum removal capabilities of membranes make them ideal tools for water reuse applications; 3. technological advancements. Less than 40 years old, the expansion of membrane technology in water treatment has been slow through a long research and development phase. As more of the technology enters the public domain, membranes are becoming commodities to the great benefit of users.