Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Conventional plant
Same size plant
40% smaller plant
or
Up to 20%
less energy
Up to 70%
more water
Same amount
of water
Can double the free cash flow generated by a plant
FIGURE 13.3
How a nanomaterial-modiied SWRO could inluence energy savings, water production, of equipment footprint
size at an RO facility. (From J. Green, “Nanocomposite Reverse Osmosis Membranes,” presentation at 2009
WATER EXECUTIVE Forum, Philadelphia, March 30-31, 2009. Reprinted with author's permission.)
0.2 µm
FIGURE 13.4
Example of nano alumina iber. (From photomicrograph taken by researchers at the University of Connecticut.
From F. Tepper, “Nano Alumina Non-Woven Filters: An Alternative to MF/UF Membranes,” presentation at
2009 WATER EXECUTIVE Forum, Philadelphia, March 30-31, 2009. Reprinted with author's permission.)
Another approach for this technology is the use of powdered activated carbon (PAC)
nanomaterial. This type of ilter can be used to remove chlorine before the water moved
to the RO system. Tepper noted the PAC version of the ilter also could remove oil from
wastewater.
One use for the nano-alumina ilters is for pretreatment before an RO system as a replace-
ment for UF membranes. The nano-alumina ilters do not have a waste stream and are
capable of removing water foulants down to the nanometer size. Unlike UF membranes,
these ilters do not have the same need for cleaning.
