Preparing Wastewater Effluent for Membranes

This paper will discuss the design criteria used for selecting a membrane pretreatment system, for the water needed at an Ethanol Plant in Iowa, it discusses the start-up problems, corrections and subsequent performance. Installation procedures are reviewed along with the reliable technology utilized by the pretreatment system. This ethanol plant is drawing up to one-third of its needed water from reusable effluent. Appropriate technologies are being used to maintain the quality of water for boilers, cooling towers, wash water and other onsite water requirements. Screen and membrane technologies combine to provide the exact quality of water necessary to keep production flowing regardless of raw water sources.