Enhancing Efficiency of Full-Scale Ultrafiltration Membrane Treatment for Increased Capacity and Lower Operating Costs

At time of commissioning, the Racine, Wisconsin, USA ultrafiltration (UF) membrane treatment system fail short of meeting its operational goals concerning capacity and chemical cleaning intervals. The systematic optimization of this 189-million-litre-per-day (MLD) capacity UF system provided tangible operational benefits, which included a 30-percent reduction in power use, a 50-percent reduction in chlorine chemical use, a 36-percent reduction in citric acid use and a simultaneous 7-percent increase in net treatment capacity of the system. In addition, the optimization program reduced the level of buildup of foulants on the surface of the membranes. This paper summarizes the optimization procedures followed at Racine, discussing how similar measures may be applicable to other water treatment facilities.