The interest
The quality of drinking water in The Netherlands is extremely high due to the source-to-tap approach shown towards research, design, and industrial implementation. If we want to keep quality at this level in the future, then we must continue to innovate. There are, in fact, threats to drinking water quality. Endocrine materials (EDCs), medicines, and polar pesticides have recently been detected in the source of drinking water supply, partly because analysis methods are continually improving. The presence of these materials is not desirable in drinking water, and they must be removed during treatment. We are carrying out research into how far this is possible using existing and new purification techniques. Much attention is being directed towards membrane filtration.
The project
Drinking water quality can be made safe with the use of membrane filtration, which enables virtually all organic micro contamination to be removed. The project focuses on developing this technology, and involves two doctorate studies. One of these research projects is concerned with the retention of organic micro contaminants and organic acids. Experimental research is being carried out in laboratories into the retention of organic contaminants in order to study the impact of process conditions. Using these laboratory results, an activity model structure will be created to calculate the retention of other organic micro contaminants that have not been measured.
The second graduate study involves research into contamination of ultra-filtration and nano-filtration membranes by Natural Organic Matter (NOM). Membrane filtration is already being used in drinking water treatment, mainly for recovering residual flows (rinse water). Large-scale use is limited because of (bio)fouling of the membranes. In addition, NOM has a competitive effect on the retention of organic micro contaminants. Management of NOM will be vital if membrane filtration is to be used on a large scale. By fractionation of NOM from the surface water and the identification of NOM fractions that lead to membrane fouling in the short- or long-term, attempts are being made to prevent membrane fouling by means of pre-treatment or management by (hydraulic) cleaning of membranes.
The challenge
The central knowledge question is whether membrane filtration is the treatment process of the future to guarantee drinking water quality. This work package aims to answer the following sub-questions:
- To what extent does membrane filtration remove ‘emerging substances’, such as medicines and polar pesticides, and organic acids?
- Can a model be used to make a judgement about ‘emerging substances’ in water that cannot yet be measured?
- Which NOM component causes continual membrane fouling, and how can this fouling be prevented/managed?
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Communication
Recenty the Delft Cluster magazine is published at the KVWN congress at may 28. This special edition describes recent developments in drinking water research. A number of key persons also present their views on – and the outcomes of – this research.
The magazine provides information which can lead to improved drinking water supply and the cross-fertilisation of ideas that will advance research into wastewater treatment.
You can download the magazine here
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