Performance of membrane filtration system used for water treatment

Tests were conducted on a membrane filtration system used as a substitute for conventional sand filtration systems for the removal of turbidities from drinking water. River water was used as raw water. This membrane system consisted of a pre-treatment filter unit using bundles of long fibers, a UF membrane unit, and a post-treatment unit with activated carbon. For about 120 d it was operated successfully in an automatic and continuous mode of operation despite a fluctuation of raw water qualities. This membrane system permitted obtaining better water qualities with lower coagulant dosage levels as compared to a sand filtration system. For instance, the turbidity, total bacteria and coliform bacteria were removed completely. This experimental work was apart of the project, “The research and development of the membrane filtration system used for water treatment,” sponsored by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Japan.