AWWA WQTC63980

In this paper, a new tool requiring only flow control as operation was developed in order to assess on-line the ability of a given water to generate membrane biofouling; its use as an alternative to the autopsy was also evaluated. Nanofiltration membrane coupons were colonized in incubation devices adapted from those used to study biofilm in drinking water networks (Servais et al., 2004). These incubation devices are PVC cylinder-shape reactors that were fitted with 6 circular supports; those supports exposed at their surface the nanofiltration membrane disc or "coupon" covered with a grid-spacer, which is of importance in spiral wound module fouling phenomena. The reactor was fed a continuous flow of water to be tested (same waters as those feeding nanofiltration modules), thus allowing the membrane coupons to become colonized at the contact of the water flowing tangentially to its surface at a constant velocity of 4 cm/s. After colonization in the reactor, bacterial biomass was estimated on the material fixed or adsorbed on the membrane coupons. Sampling strategy, follow-up of the pilot units, biofilm characterization, and testing conditions are presented. Includes 10 references, tables, figures.