Trace organic removal by nanofiltration and reverse osmosis processes

This monograph delineates the retention mechanisms of emerging trace organic contaminants by several nanofiltration (NF) and reverse osmosis membranes. Retention of neutral trace organics by a tight NF or RO membrane is dominated by steric (size) exclusion, whereas both electrostatic repulsion and steric exclusion govern the retention of negatively charged trace organics by a loose NF membrane. Speciation of trace organics may lead to a dramatic change in retention as a function of pH, with much greater retention observed for ionized, negatively charged trace organics. Retention of the negatively charged trace organics decreases as the solution''s ionic strength increases due to charge shielding and double layer compression. For uncharged trace organic species, intrinsic physicochemical properties of the trace organic molecules can substantially affect their retention. This monograph also critically demonstrates the possible complexity of a real membrane filtration system where trace organic contaminants are of concern. Factors such as operating conditions and feed solution composition can influence the filtration of trace organics.