AWWA WQTC55024

Pilot studies of membranes are generally required to evaluate their performance of specific source water. There are many membrane systems available on the market (over 10 systems in the U.S. water market), however, not all membrane systems perform favorably or equally on the same source water. In addition, finances often limit the number of membranes to pilot. The question, then, becomes how to choose which membrane(s) to pilot. This paper describes the development and implementation of selection criteria used to screen several membrane systems for piloting with the possibility for implementation in a new 70-mgd water treatment facility to service the metropolitan area of Salt Lake City and Sandy City, Utah. The membrane selection procedure described in this paper includes the following aspects: identification of membrane system requirements; identification of selection criteria used to evaluate proposals; solicitation for proposals to pilot membranes; and, results of selection process. Seven proposals were received for this study. Applying the selection criteria and tabulating the results into a decision matrix enabled the Review Committee to reduce the number of membrane systems to pilot down to four. The membrane selection procedure described in this paper considers the end-result of the process, which is the construction of a treatment facility, not just the performance of the membrane during a pilot study. Also, this paper address the issue that there is no perfect membrane for a particular application. However, the selection criteria developed for this paper suggests that some uniform trends are developing in the manufacturing and design of membrane systems. The process described in this paper provides a framework for evaluating the growing number of membrane systems that may be considered for a drinking water application and the rationale for selecting membrane systems to pilot. Includes tables, figure.