New disinfection method in RO seawater desalination systems

• Published in: DESALINATION AND WATER TREATMENT IN HARMONY WITH THE ENVIRONMENT Vol. 96; no. 1; pp. 191 - 199
• Main Authors: Tanaka, Satoshi, Numata, Katsuhisa, Kuzumoto, Hideshi, Sekino, Masaaki
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 1994
• ISSN: 0011-9164; 1873-4464
• DOI: 10.1016/0011-9164(94)85171-9

In general, in chlorine disinfection systems for RO seawater desalination a small amount of trihalomethane (THM) is formed in the seawater and then included in the RO permeate water [1–31]. The authors studied a new disinfection method where there is no formation of THM and where the chloramine is synthesized in seawater and is used effectively as a biocidal agent. At the seawater intake, ammonium chloride is injected and then sodium hypochlorite solution is added at optimal dosing conditions so that monochloramine, which is the best disinfectant among several chloramines can be produced at the rate of more than 90 %. From the seawater desalination test results, it was confirmed that there are no THMs in chloramine disinfected seawater and also in RO permeate water after secondary chlorine disinfection. This new chloramine disinfection method is worthy of note as it will be most useful in the strict quality control of drinking water.