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Technologies and Costs for Removal of Arsenic From Drinking Water

Technologies and Costs for Removal of Arsenic From Drinking Water

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3.9 SEPARATION PROCESSES3.9.1 Micr<strong>of</strong>iltrationMicr<strong>of</strong>iltration is a low-pressure membrane process which has only a marginal ability toremove arsenic due to its relatively large pore size in comparison to other membrane processes. MFremoves contaminants from a feed stream primarily through sieving. Typically, MF does not requirepretreatment beyond approximately 500-mm prefiltration. Because MF is not an effective st<strong>and</strong>-alonetechnology <strong>for</strong> removal <strong>of</strong> arsenic, capital <strong>and</strong> O&M cost estimates <strong>for</strong> MF are not provided in thischapter.3.9.2 UltrafiltrationUltrafiltration is a low-pressure membrane process which removes contaminants from a feedstream primarily through sieving. Typically, UF does not require pretreatment beyond approximately200-mm prefiltration. UF has the benefit <strong>of</strong> being lower in both capital <strong>and</strong> O&M costs than highpressuremembrane processes. Because UF is not an effective st<strong>and</strong>-alone technology <strong>for</strong> removal <strong>of</strong>arsenic, capital <strong>and</strong> O&M cost estimates <strong>for</strong> UF are not provided in this chapter.3.9.3 Nan<strong>of</strong>iltrationNan<strong>of</strong>iltration is a high-pressure membrane process capable <strong>of</strong> significant arsenic removal.NF removes contaminants from a feed stream primarily through a combination <strong>of</strong> diffusion <strong>and</strong> sievingmechanisms. Typically, NF requires pretreatment to remove suspended solids <strong>and</strong> other foulants fromthe feed stream. NF has greater arsenic removal capabilities than low-pressure membrane processes,however, capital <strong>and</strong> O&M costs <strong>for</strong> NF are usually greater than equivalent costs <strong>for</strong> low-pressureprocesses. Due to decreased removal efficiency when operated at higher recoveries, NF is not yetdemonstrated to be a reliable treatment <strong>for</strong> arsenic. Because NF is not an effective st<strong>and</strong>-alonetechnology <strong>for</strong> removal <strong>of</strong> arsenic, capital <strong>and</strong> O&M cost estimates <strong>for</strong> NF are not provided in thischapter.3.9.4 Reverse OsmosisReverse Osmosis is a high-pressure membrane process which removes dissolved contaminantsfrom a feed stream primarily through diffusion rather than physical straining. RO requires a high3-56

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