Application of Membrane Processes to the Treatment of Wastewaters in Japan

The membrane processes that are commonly uscd in water and wastewater treatment are reverse osmosis (Ro), ultrafiltration (UF) and microfiltration (MF), which utilize pressure differentials. There is also nano-filtration (NF), or low-pressure reverse osmosis, which is positioned midway between conventional reverse osmosis and ultrafiltration. Reverse osmosis membranes reject dissolved ions, while ultrafiltration can be used to reject relatively larger molecules, such as protein, polysacchalides and so on. Microfiltration is capable of eliminating particles at submicron level. This paper summarizes the characteristics of MSAS process first, as it is the main membrane process applied to wastewater treatment. Two successful examples of the applications, the cases of individual building reuse system and nightsoil treatment, are then shown. The latest trend of new membrane applications, i.e., immersed-type MSAS is also introduced.