Membrane orientation and organic fouling have been investigated in terms of their influence on the performance of forward osmosis membranes in the removal of boron and arsenic. Rejection of both was higher in FO mode compared to the pressure-driven RO mode.
02 February 2012
This study evaluates the first application of a pollutant abatement policy in a highly developed coastal area of Korea. Land–sea pollutant interactions were addressed by a six-year systematic monitoring effort, and a reduction in land-based pollutants was successfully achieved by control of point sources.
31 January 2012
A water services provider in Kenya's coast province has installed a new set of vertical multistage pumps at its water treatment plant following a failure. Mawasco, based in Malindi, Kenya, procured a set of Poldap Dalgic Pump sets from Konya in Turkey as replacements. Shem Oirere tells the story.
31 January 2012
Members' Content
This review paper looks at treatment technologies for reverse osmosis (RO) concentrates. The analysis considers volume reduction of the effluent, reducing the pollutant load, and the recovery of valuable compounds, salts and nutrients. It also considers advanced techniques aimed at zero liquid discharge.
30 January 2012
Estrogen and xenoestrogen levels have been chemical and biologically assessed in raw and drinking water samples from Brazilian intakes. It was found that estrogenicity is a better guiding parameter to select samples and chemical substances to be investigated. This integrated approach can guide the development of adequate treatment technologies.
26 January 2012
This study of seawater desalination by forward osmosis found that the dominant inorganic fouling is caused by polymerised silica scaling, in which the fouling layer comprises silica scaling surrounded by biopolymers. While the flux saw a significant decrease, it can be partially recovered by water flushing.
24 January 2012
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) has been used to compare different membrane bioreactor configurations with increasing complexity. Energy use and sludge disposal were identified as major environmental hot spots, and it was also found that there is an inverse relationship between technological complexity and environmental impact.
23 January 2012
This review of electrochemical technologies looks at how nitrate and organic carbon contaminants can be removed from aquaculture wastewater in a ‘green’ manner. Mechanisms of contaminant removal in electrochemical and bio-electrochemical reactors are discussed. It is found that 99% of organic matter and nitrate can be removed using bio-electrochemical cells.
19 January 2012
Brazil is known for its use of hydropower, but when a small, remote tourism complex in a Brazilian nature reserve needed additional power supply, a conventional hydropower solution was deemed too expensive. A more affordable option came in the form of a KSB centrifugal pump driving an electric motor acting as a generator.
17 January 2012
Members' Content
A method has been developed to test the resilience of water supply drought plans to extended droughts. Reservoir models are used interactively to expose managers to an unfolding drought, highlighting decision points and weaknesses in drought plans. The method is demonstrated for two water supply systems in the UK.
17 January 2012