Optimum nanofi ltration membrane arrangements in seawater pretreatment - Part-I

Abstract

NF membrane seawater pretreatment is an attractive technique that can provide unique permeate quality having negligible fouling and scaling potential and hence suitable for both membrane and thermal desalination processes. The technique was applied commercially in SWCC Umm-Lujj SWRO plant at 65% recovery. Operation at such recovery as pretreatment process is considered unattractive from the economic point of view. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to maximize NF product recovery and reduce operational cost while maintaining long membrane life. To achieve the target different investigation areas and techniques are considered. This paper presents Part-1 of this study which includes the performances of seven different NF arrangements in seawater pretreatment starting from 4 up to 20 NF elements in terms of recovery ratio, product quality, energy consumption and membrane hydraulic performance. The study revealed that 8-elements array at 65% recovery is the best choice for single stage NF process. Whereas...