Montgomery Watson Applied Research Department

Technology Transfer Note

No. 12, January 1997

CONTROL OF MEMBRANE FOULING DUE TO ALGAE

SUMMARY: As the use of membrane technology continues to grow, there is an increasing concern over the impact of algae on membrane operation and performance. At present, there is little quantitative information available on this issue, particularly as pertains to the direct use of low pressure membranes on raw water supplies without pretreatment (e.g., microfiltration and ultrafiltration). This technology transfer note presents: 1) quantitative and anecdotal information available on the impact of algae on membrane operation, 2) information from conventional media filtration that may be useful, and 3) potential control measures to retard membrane fouling by algae. If you have any questions about the contents of this document, please call Samer Adham of the Applied Research Department (626) 568-6751.

An increasing number of water agencies nationwide are investigating the potential use of low-pressure membrane filtration [ultrafiltration (UF) and microfiltration (MF)] for treatment of their water supplies. Many of these utilities are concerned with the impact of algae on membrane operation. This document summarizes the available information on the topic. Our investigation into this issue identified only one study with quantitative information on the impacts of algae on membrane filtration. However, numerous other studies provide anecdotal reports on the impact of feed water algal concentrations on membrane operation and performance, particularly with regard to membrane fouling. Below we provide information on the quantitative membrane study and other anecdotal reports. Additional background is provided by published reports addressing the impact of algae on granular media filtration performance. These reports are useful for providing insights into potential fouling mechanisms. Background Information on Algae The term algae refers to a morphologically and physiologically diverse group of chlorophyllcontaining organisms that carry out photosynthesis. Algae exist in natural waters in a variety of sizes, geometric structures and cell wall materials. Although most algae are microscopic (ranging from 2 m to 100 m), a number of forms are macroscopic, with some species growing to lengths over 100 ft (Brock et al., 1984). Of particular interest for the case of membrane fouling is the composition of the cell wall and extracellular coverings. Algal cell walls may be composed of the following materials: cellulose (modified with polysaccharides e.g., pectin, mannans, alginic acids, fucinic acids), calcium carbonate/cellulosic mixture (possible presence of chitin), silica (with the presence of polysaccharides and proteins as
MONTGOMERY WATSON

extracellular coverings). Extracellular coverings are often considered to serve as mucilaginous slime materials, and may affect algal motility (in the absence of flagella) particularly for the case of algae with siliceous cell walls (diatoms). Impact of Algal Blooms on Membrane Filtration Algal species are larger than the nominal pore size of both microfiltration and ultrafiltration membranes; therefore, rejection of algae occurs to a large extent on the basis of size. Membrane fouling often occurs as a result of accumulation and/or adsorption of rejected materials at the membrane surface. However, in the presence of algae, the layer of rejected material at the membrane surface should not be considered as a non-adhesive cake layer. Instead, the extracellular algal slimes (mucilaginous or gelatinous materials) are likely to serve as cement for the particulate material rejected by the membrane surface. The presence of extracellular algal slimes is likely to contribute to a greater superimposed resistance to filtration than would be observed for a non-adhesive cake layer. Le Pecq, France - The impact of algal blooms on ultrafiltration performance was investigated on Aquasource membranes by a French research group (Chevalier et al., 1994). Direct comparison of membrane performance was provided for filtration of raw surface waters treated with powdered activated carbon (20-40 mg/L) during periods of normal water quality (2-30 NTU; TOC 3-4 mg/L) and during periods of algal bloom. Membrane run lengths of 34 days were demonstrated at a flux of 41 gfd when no algal blooms had occurred. In contrast, conditions of algal bloom (counts greater than 17,000 cells/mL), produced an immediate fouling of membranes in less than 30 hours. Fouling of membranes produced by algal blooms could not be reversed without chemical cleaning. The study
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Montgomery Watson Applied Research Department

Technology Transfer Note No. 12, January 1997

CONTROL OF MEMBRANE FOULING DUE TO ALGAE

results suggested that algal concentrations must remain below 4,000 cells/mL in order to avoid significant membrane fouling. In all cases reported, UF membranes achieved greater than 6 logs removal of algal cells. Anecdotal Evidence on the Impact of Algae on Membrane Filtration Performance Portland, OR - Microfiltration membranes (Memcor) were employed in a year-long study on surface waters. Filter runs lengths during normal membrane operation were on the order of 18 to 20 days. During certain periods associated with algal blooms, however, membrane run lengths decreased to 4 to 5 days, at which point the membranes required chemical cleaning. Filtrate water quality was not observed to deteriorate during the algal bloom events. Algal content of the membrane feed water was not quantified during this study. The Memcor membranes were not backwashed with chlorinated waters because of the chlorine sensitivity of polypropylene membranes. Boise, ID - Ultrafiltration membranes (Aquasource) were employed in a year-long study on surface waters. Membranes were backwashed regularly with chlorinated water (3-5 mg/L) at approximately 30 minute intervals. Acceptable membrane performance was observed (greater than 2 month run lengths) when backwash waters were chlorinated; however, in the cases when chlorination of the backwash water was discontinued, membranes fouled and required chemical cleaning in a matter of two days. This fouling was attributed to the presence of algae in feed waters, because of the daily algal clogging in the prefiltration bag (200 m). Algal content of the feed water was not quantified during this study. White Plains, NY - Microfiltration membranes (Memcor) were employed in a year-long pilot study. Algal blooms were experienced during the operational period, and significant problems were encountered due to clogging of the pre-screening cartridge filters (50 m) employed. As a result of the clogging of the pre-screening filters, the microfiltration membrane plant was forced to shutdown on more than one occasion. The results from this study suggest that pre-screening cartridge filters smaller than 200 m should not be employed for untreated raw waters that are prone to algal blooms. Information on the algal content and character of the feed water to the MF membrane unit is not available for this study. Argyle Diamond Mine, Australia - Microfiltration membranes (Memcor) have been employed at the Argyle Diamond Mine in Australia for over five years. At this site, seasonal algal blooms are experienced every summer (during the dry season). Algal cell concentrations measured during algal blooms have been reported as high as 300,000 cells/mL; however, specific information on the algal species in the feed water is not available. Although membrane run lengths are observed to decline to a few days during algal bloom periods, deterioration of the long-term MF performance has not been observed over the 5-year period. Clogging of the pre-screening cartridge filter (500 m) has also been reported as a problem during the periods of algal bloom. As with studies cited above, filtrate water quality is not affected by algal concentrations in feed waters. Published Reports on the Impact of Algae on Granular Media Filtration Given the paucity of published information on membrane fouling by algae, research articles were consulted to provide background on the impact of algae on granular media filtration and the effect of different algal species on filter clogging. Relevant information that may provide insights into membrane fouling are provided below: Influence of algal surface charge on destabilization and aggregation. Algal species typically are characterized by a negative surface charge in natural water environments. In the work done Bernhardt and Clasen (1994), algal destabilization by charge neutralization was achieved through chemical coagulation and flocculation. Maximum filterability of suspended algae was observed when algal cells were destabilized and in aggregate form. Single, unattached algal cells in contrast, proved difficult to remove by filtration. In this research, aggregation of algal cells (green algae, cyanobacteria, diatoms) proceeded in response to charge neutralization in cases where aggregation was possible given the shape and structure of algal cells. Aggregation was
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Montgomery Watson Applied Research Department

Technology Transfer Note No. 12, January 1997

CONTROL OF MEMBRANE FOULING DUE TO ALGAE

observed to be difficult for cells with a non-spherical or filamentous structure. Influence of extracellular materials on flocculation and aggregation. In the work by Bernhardt and Clasen (1994), the peripheral cell wall structures and extracellular materials were shown to have little effect on the destabilization of algae in response to charge neutralization. Quantification of algal destabilization was performed by measurement of electrophoretic mobility. Actual filter clogging (headloss) as a function of algal content was not evaluated in this study. Other research (Petrusevski et al., 1993), demonstrated that algal removal efficiency by filtration was shown to vary strongly with algal species and growth phase. However, removal efficiency was shown to vary substantially for algal species with similar size and shape, suggesting that properties other than size and shape (algal motility, presence of outer mucilaginous layer, algal cell form) may have had a significant impact on filterability. Impact of algal species on aggregation, filterability and fouling. In work done by Petrusevski et al. (1993), filtration problems caused by algae were grouped into three categories: 1) penetration of stable algal cells into the filter media; 2) interferences with coagulation/flocculation caused by extracellular algal materials; and 3) short filter runs (increased headloss due to filter clogging) with increased need for backwash. In the work done by Konno et al. (1995), slender diatoms were associated with clogging of granular media filters than other algal species. In work done by Truax and Shindala (1994), filter media designs with small grain size (0.18 mm to 0.37 mm) showed good initial performance; however, comparable results were obtained after the first month of filter operation with a filter media grain size of 0.7 mm. These results suggest that formation of a biofilm coating in the filter media can substantially enhance filter performance and algal filterability. Impact of cultured vs. natural algae on filterability. In work done by Petrusevski et al. (1993), direct filtration pilot testing was used to compare the filterability of cultured algal species grown on different media with the filterability of natural algal species. In this research, filterability was shown to be a function of the growth media (used to simulate different environmental growth conditions) and algal growth stage. As a consequence of this study, the extrapolation of results from model studies (with cultured algae) to natural conditions is considered highly questionable. It is therefore recommended that natural algae (concentrated by tangential flow membrane filtration) be used in place of cultured algae for examination of membrane fouling. Characterization of Algal Membrane Fouling Based on the anecdotal evidence and the published reports available for media filtration, the following tasks can be employed for improved characterization of the impact of algae on membrane fouling: identification and enumeration of algal species in feed water, filtrate water, and in rejected matter on membrane surface; concentration of natural algal water (concentration by tangential flow membrane filtration) to use in place of cultured algae; characterization of the chemical structure of peripheral wall of algae (polysaccharide layer) under different growth conditions; evaluation of pre-treatment on algal fouling of membrane surface (i.e., impact of pre-oxidation, impact of charge neutralization/ destabilization).

Control Measures for Algal Membrane Fouling The following are some measures that could be employed when trying to control membrane fouling during algal blooms: pretreatment with chemical coagulation targeted to destabilize algal species and remove aggregates through sedimentation; dissolved air flotation. This pretreatment approach has been used successfully in France and in pilot studies in the U.S.; addition of copper sulfate to feed water; adjustment of the following operational parameters: transmembrane pressure, transmembrane flux, cross-flow velocity, backwash frequency and procedure.

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Montgomery Watson Applied Research Department

Technology Transfer Note No. 12, January 1997

CONTROL OF MEMBRANE FOULING DUE TO ALGAE

References
Standard Methods for Exam. of Water and Wastewater, 1989. Bernhardt, H. et al. (1994) J. Water SRT-Aqua, 43(5), 222. Brock, T. D. et al (1984) Biology of Microorganisms Chevalier, M. R., et al., CIRSEE, Lyonnaise des Eaux, 1994. Konno, H., et al. (1995) Water Supply, 13(3/4), 205. Petrusevski, B, et al. (1993) Water Sci. Tech., 27(11), 211. Truax, D. et al. (1994) Water Environ. Research, 66(7), 894.

More detailed information on membrane fouling is available. If you have any questions or you need additional information, please call Samer Adham at (626)568-6751.

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