Potassium permanganate as pre-oxidant in a reverse osmosis water plant

This research project aimed to improve the general operation of the reverse osmosis (RO) water plant at Marbella (Spain) between 23 June and 19 September 1997, and maintain the quality of the algae- and unspecified organic matter-rich marine influent waters. Laboratory tests were carried out using the solid commercial product (AQUOX) as a solution corresponding to a dose of 1 mg per litre, as were direct full-scale plant tests with the solid product. The treatment with potassium permanganate was effective in eliminating problems due to algal bloom in raw marine water, and the additional costs of the treatment were increased by 5-10 per cent relative to standard RO treatment costs. In an example, after 1 h pre-oxidation with 0.6 g potassium permanganate per m3, the total coliform number was zero and the total phosphorus was reduced from 0.038 mg per litre to less than 0.005 mg per litre.