Performance evaluation of water treatment ultrafiltration pilot plants treating algae-rich reservoir water

Three different water treatment ultrafiltration (UF) pilot plants were investigated to treat algae-rich reservoir water. Coagulation, coagulation–sedimentation and coagulation–sedimentation–filtration were applied prior to UF respectively. Based on the permeate water quality and the specific flux of UF, coagulation/settling process was selected as the best pretreatment method for UF membrane. Filter played a negative role in pretreatment for UF membrane fouling control.

(1) Based on specific flux and permeate water quality comparisons, coagulation–sedimentation is selected as the best pretreatment method. (2) For algae-rich reservoir treatment, coagulation + UF could not be the satisfied choice like other water bodies treatment. (3) Filtration could play a negative role for UF pretreatment for the minute particles’ adverse effects.