Ultrafiltración (UF) sistemas are critical in various water treatment applications, from purifying drinking water to treating industrial wastewater. Besta membrana, a leader in membrane technology, provides comprehensive design and maintenance guidelines for their externally pressurized UF membrane systems. This blog explores the recommended design parameters and maintenance practices to ensure optimal performance and longevity of these systems.
Design Parameters for Externally Pressurized UF Systems
The design of a UF system depends heavily on the quality of the feed water. Besta Membrane offers specific flux design recommendations based on different water sources, as shown in Table 1.
Table 1: Flux Design Recommendations
Feed Water Type | Tap Water | Groundwater | Surface Water | Reclaimed Water | Wastewater |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Turbidity (NTU) | <1 | <2 | <2 | <5 | <15 |
Pre-filtration | Opcional | Recommended | |||
Flujo de diseño (LMH) | 90-100 | 80-90 | 70-80 | 70-80 | 60-70 |
Recovery Rate | 95% | 90% | 85% | 80% | 70% |
Backwash Interval | 60 mínimo | 30 mínimo | 20 mínimo | ||
Backwash Duration | 60 sec | 60 sec | 60 sec | 60 sec | 100 sec |
Backwash Pressure | 0.15-0.2 MPA | ||||
Backwash Flow Rate | 150-200 LMH | 100-150 LMH | 60-100 LMH | ||
Chemical Cleaning | Not Recommended | Opcional | Recommended |
Key Insights:
- Feed Water Quality: The turbidity of the feed water significantly impacts the design flux. Lower turbidity allows for higher flux rates.
- Pre-filtration: For groundwater and surface water, pre-filtration is recommended to reduce the load on the UF membranes.
- Recovery Rates: Higher recovery rates are achievable with cleaner feed water, such as tap water, compared to wastewater.
Maintenance Recommendations for UF Systems
Regular maintenance is crucial to sustain the efficiency of UF systems. Besta Membrane provides detailed maintenance parameters, as outlined in Table 2.
Table 2: Recommended Maintenance Parameters
Parameter | Value |
---|---|
Backwash Method | Air-Scour Backwash |
Design Backwash Frequency | 48 times/day |
Air Pressure for Scouring | ≤150 KPa |
Backwash Flow Rate | 0.5 ~ 1.5 times the product flow |
Air Flow Rate for Backwash | 8 ~ 12 Nm³/h (per module) |
Backwash Operation Cycle | 30 min per cycle |
Maintenance Cleaning Method | Low-concentration citric acid or sodium hypochlorite solution |
Maintenance Cleaning Duration | 50 mínimo (including rinsing time) |
Citric Acid Cleaning Frequency | Once every 1~3 days |
Sodium Hypochlorite Cleaning Frequency | Once every 1~3 days |
Cleaning Flow Rate | 1 ~ 2 m³/module |
Maintenance Cleaning Concentration | 300 ~ 500 PPM |
Chemical Cleaning Method | Alternating citric acid and NaOH + sodium hypochlorite solution |
Chemical Cleaning Duration | 90~180 min |
Acid Cleaning Frequency | Once every 30~90 days (pH = 2) |
NaOH + Sodium Hypochlorite Cleaning Frequency | Once every 30~90 days (pH = 10) |
Chemical Cleaning Flow Rate | 1 ~ 3 m³/module |
Chemical Cleaning Concentration | 1000 ~ 3000 PPM |
Optimal Cleaning Solution Temperature | 20 ~ 30°C |
Key Insights:
- Backwashing: Regular backwashing is essential to remove accumulated particles. The air-scour method enhances cleaning efficiency.
- Maintenance Cleaning: Low-concentration citric acid or sodium hypochlorite solutions are effective for routine maintenance.
- Chemical Cleaning: For more thorough cleaning, alternating between citric acid and NaOH + sodium hypochlorite solutions is recommended.
Practical Considerations
- Temperature Impact: Water temperature significantly affects the flux rate. Higher temperatures reduce water viscosity, increasing flux. The design flux is typically based on a standard temperature of 25°C. The actual flux can be adjusted using the temperature correction formula:
C=1.0215×(25−T)where T is the actual water temperature.
- Customization: The design and operational parameters should be tailored based on actual water quality and pilot testing results to achieve optimal performance.
Conclusion
Besta Membrane’s externally pressurized UF systems offer robust solutions for various water treatment needs. By adhering to the recommended design and maintenance parameters, operators can ensure efficient and reliable system performance. Regular maintenance, including backwashing and chemical cleaning, is essential to prolong the lifespan of the membranes and maintain high water quality standards.