Use of Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Microfiltration Membranes to Remove Microorganisms and Organic Pollutants from Primary Effluents

Authors: Modise, Claude M; Bendick, John A; Miller, C. J; Neufeld, Ronald D; Vidic, Radisav D

Source: Water Environment Research, Volume 78, Number 6, June 2006 , pp. 557-564(8)

Publisher: Water Environment Federation

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Abstract:

Primary-effluent wastewater from the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority (Pennsylvania) was used as a surrogate for combined-sewer-overflow waters contained in the sewershed. Pathogens contained in combined-primary-effluent wastewaters or combined-sewer overflows (CSOs) may pose a human-health threat to those coming in contact with such receiving waters. Polymeric ultra- and nano-membranes can be used to capture these microorganisms from CSOs. This research investigates the ability of polymeric hydrophobic and hydrophilic membranes, ranging in pore size from 0.2 to 0.8 μm, to remove pathogen-indicator organisms (Escherichia coli, enterococcus, and fecal coliforms). Membranes, with pore size 0.45 μm and smaller, were able to reduce the bacteria levels to nondetectable levels, with the sole exception of one membrane with pore size 0.3 μm.

Keywords: primary effluent; combined-sewer overflow; hydrophilic membranes; hydrophobic membranes; microfiltration; polymeric membranes; fouling; pathogenic bacteria; escherichia coli; enterococcus; fecal coliforms; disinfection; membrane disinfection