Performance Evaluation of the Serially Connected Two Stage Fiber Filter for the RO Membrane Pre-treatment

This study was for the evaluation of adaptability of the fiber filter as the pre-treatment of the RO membrane through SDI (Silt Density Index) measurement. The turbidity of raw waters were $0.76{\sim}1.6$ NTU for the effluent of sewer treatment plants (STP) and $2.2{\sim}3.3$ NTU for sea waters and 100 NTU for the surface water. The turbidity of the $2^{nd}$ filtrate of the serially connected two fiber filters was $0.07{\sim}0.25$ NTU and $SDI_{15}$ was $1.4{\sim}2.8$ when the 17% PAC was dosed $10{\sim}30ppm$. Results of the turbidity and $SDI_{15}$ of the $2^{nd}$ filtrate of the fiber filter which were compared with them of the lab scale MF/UF disc filter for the same STP's effluents showed that filtrate quality were enhanced with a little on the order of two stage fiber filter>MF>UF, the difference in $SDI_{15}$ was only $0.7{\sim}1.0$. So, the filtrate of the serially connected two stage fiber filter could satisfy $SDI_{15}$ 5.0 safely which was normally required for the feed water by the RO membrane supplier and it means the serially connected two stage fiber filter could be applied as the pre-treatment process of the RO membrane.

2단 섬유여과 공정의 역삼투막 전처리 성능평가

본 연구는 SDI (Silt Density Index)를 통해 RO막 전처리 장치로서의 섬유여과기 적용 가능성을 평가한 것이다. 실험 대상 원수는 탁도가 $0.76{\sim}1.6$ NTU인 하수처리장 방류수와 탁도가 $2.2{\sim}3.3$ NTU인 해수 및 탁도가 100 NTU인 지표수이었다. 2단 섬유여과기 공정의 최종여과수인 2차 여과수의 탁도는 17% PAC $10{\sim}30ppm$주입 시 $0.07{\sim}0.25$ NTU였으며 SDI는 $1.4{\sim}2.8$이었다. 하수처리장 방류수에 대해 2단 섬유여과기 pilot 여과수와 실험실 규모의 MF, UF평막 여과수의 탁도 및 $SDI_{15}$를 측정하여 비교한 결과, 여과수 수질은 2단 섬유여과기 > MF > UF순으로 약간 향상하였으며, $SDI_{15}$ 차이는 $0.7{\sim}1.0$ 수준으로 크지 않았다. 따라서 2단 섬유여과 공정을 RO막 전처리 공정으로 사용할 경우 통상의 RO막 제조사가 요구하는 $SDI_{15}$ 5 이하를 충분히 만족시킬 수 있을 것으로 판단된다.