3-Step approach towards evaluation and elimination of acid use in pre-treatment for a brackish water reverse osmosis process

    Authors

    J. Tharamapalan; C. C. Boyd;S. J. Duranceau

    Comments

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    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

    WOS:000320219700013

    ISSN

    0301-4797

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