Performance of a hybrid process integrating PAC adsorption with ceramic membrane ultrafiltration for drinking water treatment

Membrane separation technologies have broad application prospects in water treatment . Compared with polymeric membranes, ceramic membranes have higher stability for long-term operation in practical applications. Coupling ceramic membranes with other water treatment processes is an effective way to improve membrane treatment effect and alleviate membrane fouling . This study evaluated the water purification efficiency and membrane fouling behaviors of powdered activated carbon (PAC), flat-sheet ceramic membranes and their hybrid process in treating model organic pollutants and natural water. Results showed that the PAC-ceramic membrane hybrid process could alleviate the membrane fouling caused by humic acid but aggravate that caused by sodium alginate . Addition of PAC notably improved the removal performance of the ceramic membrane for organic matters in natural water as well as pharmaceutical and personal care products , and effectively controlled membrane fouling. The PAC adsorption obviously reduced the irreversible fouling of the ceramic membrane under multi-cycle operation. This study can provide a reference for the practical application of ceramic membranes in drinking water treatment .