Removal of Dissolved Organic Matter by Nanofiltration

Abstract

"A nanofiltration module is studied to determine its ability to remove dissolved organic matter (DOM) from two water sources: An effluent-impacted ground water and a low-turbidity surface water. Both feed and product waters from a single nanofiltration module are analyzed for trihalomethane precursors, as measured by bulk water dissolved organic carbon (DOC), UV absorbance, and trihalomethane formation potential (THMFP), as well as molecular weight (MW) distributions of these parameters. Results indicated excellent rejection of DOM accompanied by good rejection of inorganics, as reflected by conductivity data. Nanofiltration is very effective in rejecting higher molecular weight DOM (>1,000 amu) while moderately effective in rejecting lower molecular weight material (<1,000 amu).