Comparing nanofiltration and reverse osmosis for drinking water augmentation

Abstract

This study investigated the use of ultra‐low‐pressure reverse osmosis (ULPRO) and nanofiltration (NF) membranes for water reuse applications where lower operating pressures and a high permeate quality are desired. A laboratory‐scale investigation was performed to compare the rejection and operational performance of RO, ULPRO, and NF membranes and to select two membranes for testing at a California water facility. A ULPRO membrane and an NF membrane were then tested at pilot and full scale at a water recycling plant and monitored for operational performance and rejection of total organic carbon, total nitrogen, and regulated and unregulated organic micropollutants. Pilot‐ and full‐scale testing of the best‐performing membranes demonstrated that both ULPRO and NF membranes could be used to meet potable water quality requirements. The presumed advantage of using ULPRO and NF membranes diminished as fouling occurred, resulting in operating pressures only slightly lower than or similar to those found for traditional RO membranes.