Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

2007

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Bloetscher, Frederick

Abstract

This study evaluated the technical feasibility o f increasing the typical water recovery of a pilot scale membrane system (85-90%) to 97% by treatment of nanofiltration concentrate with low-pressure reverse osmosis. The study used Biscayne aquifer water (freshwater), and determined that it may be technically feasible to increase the recovery up to approximately 95% when the RO flux is —10 gfd, the feed water pH is reduced to -6.1 with H2 SO4 , and antiscalant in the NF process. The tested membranes showed stable and similar performance under the pilot conditions. However, pilot tests were sensitive to pH variations (pH>6.2). The main barrier for increasing the water recovery was fouling caused by iron, carbonate hardness, and iron bacteria. A preliminary cost analysis showed that there is an apparent econom ic advantage when the recovery is greater than 90%. Estimated water cost at 95% recovery is $1.99 compared with $2.69 at the typical 85% recovery.

Extent

269 p.

Comments

College of Engineering and Computer Science|Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2007.|FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection|College of Engineering and Computer Science

Identifier

FA00012564

Format

pdf

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