Efficiency assessment of Ultra-filtration pretreatment prior to Reverse Osmosis separation of contaminated natural water

The paper presents the efficiency assessment results of polluted natural water pretreatment applying various pressure ultra-filtration membrane elements prior to reverse osmosis separation. The research was carried out using pilot ultra-filtration plant equipped with pressure ceramic, hollow fiber membranes made of polysulphone and polyvinylidene fluoride by various manufacturers. The study revealed that all membrane elements provide high purification degree regarding suspended substances > 99.9%, total iron – by 80 %, petroleum products > 90%, and non-ionic surfactants > 84%. The final performance of pressure tubular ceramic and hollow fiber elements made of polysulphone and polyvinylidene fluoride is almost identical. The comparison of performance recovery for clean municipal supply water after chemical washing proved that polysulphone-based pressure fiber element demonstrated the best recovery. Thus, ultra-filtration polysulphone pressure membrane elements revealed the best result in the treatment of contaminated natural water, represented by solid waste landfill leachate.