Title
3-Step approach towards evaluation and elimination of acid use in pre-treatment for a brackish water reverse osmosis process
Abbreviated Journal Title
J. Environ. Manage.
Keywords
Acid elimination; Canary unit; Scale inhibitor; Reverse osmosis; RO; POSTTREATMENT; Environmental Sciences
Abstract
To control carbonate scale formation on reverse osmosis (RO) membrane surfaces, it is common practice to add acid as a pre-treatment chemical. However, advancements in the formulation of proprietary scale inhibitors have resulted in a re-evaluation of the need to suppress the pH of RO feedwater. In this study, a 3-step approach was taken to eliminate sulfuric acid pre-treatment at a 4.5 MGD (17,000 m(3)/day) brackish water RO plant operating for over 7 years without previous membrane replacement. The 3-Step approach adopted in this study to evaluate and eliminate use of acid in pre-treatment process involved first pilot testing the plan to reduce the dependence on acid. Secondly, implementing the plan on the full-scale system with conservative pH increments and thirdly continuously screening for scale formation potential using a "canary" monitoring device. This 3-step approach resulted in the successful elimination of sulfuric acid pre-treatment at the brackish water RO plant, with an estimated $105,000 minimum annual cost savings. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Journal Title
Journal of Environmental Management
Volume
124
Publication Date
1-1-2013
Document Type
Article
Language
English
First Page
115
Last Page
120
WOS Identifier
ISSN
0301-4797
Recommended Citation
"3-Step approach towards evaluation and elimination of acid use in pre-treatment for a brackish water reverse osmosis process" (2013). Faculty Bibliography 2010s. 4751.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/facultybib2010/4751
Comments
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