Potable water production by membrane processes: membrane characterization using a series of bacterial strains

• Published in: Water science & technology. Water supply Vol. 9; no. 4; pp. 405 - 412
• Main Authors: LEBLEU, N, ROQUES, C, AIMAR, P, CAUSSERAND, C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London International Water Association 2009; IWA Publishing
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Bacteria; Buildings. Public works; Capillaries; Chemical engineering; Chemical Sciences; Defects; Deformation; Drinking water; Ecology, environment; Exact sciences and technology; Food and Nutrition; Life Sciences; Membrane processes; Membrane structure; Membranes; Methods; Microbiological strains; Microbiology and Parasitology; Microfiltration; Microorganisms; Stress; Ultrafiltration; Water supply. Pipings. Water treatment; Characterization; Removal; Drinking water; Production; Bacteria; Membrane; Experimental study; membrane characterization; potable water production; bacterial removal; Membrane characterization; Bacterial removal; Potable water production
• ISSN: 1606-9749; 1607-0798
• DOI: 10.2166/ws.2009.499

The aim of this study was to develop a method for characterizing membranes (ultrafiltration and microfiltration) used in drinking water production. The method accounts for the specific behaviour of microorganisms during filtration, namely their deformation under mechanical stress. The leaks of microorganisms are linked to the presence of a small number of defects or abnormally large pores in the membrane structure. Assuming that the defects are cylindrical capillaries, the range of pore diameters concerned by the method lies between 0.05 and 1.2 μm.