Novel housing designs for nanofiltration and ultrafiltration gravity-driven recycled membrane-based systems

Ultra-low pressure gravity-driven membrane (GDM) systems have the potential to be significantly less costly and complex than conventional membranes for water treatment applications. To build upon this inherent advantage, study assesses reuse of recycled in GDM producing drinking water. Two reverse osmosis spiral-wound modules were into nanofiltration (NF)-like ultrafiltration (UF)-like via controlled exposure free chlorine. operate membranes, two housing devices, based on a simple fitting an advanced end-caps design, developed. The tested under range conditions (submerged vs. external system configuration continuous intermittent filtration mode). Synthetic river feed solutions used tests where performance, fouling, clogging measured. NF-like resulted poor salt rejection low permeability (~1.7 L m?2 h?1 bar?1), but also high (>81%) dissolved organic carbon. UF-like maintained their capacity reject biopolymers (BP) (>74%) featured up 18-fold higher permeate rate membranes. optimized operating found when housed device operated intermittently (relaxation time plus forward flushing). Flushing reduced fouling accumulation inside (only 12% 40% BP was observed UF-like, respectively). However, end-caps-based estimated more expensive during economic analysis. address techno-economic trade-off, decision-making tree developed select appropriate implementation context. Overall, concludes that these designs can serve as robust, low-cost (water production cost <1 USD ct. yr. L?1), light-weight alternatives. This is beneficial developing compact both rural areas emergency response.