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In this paper, a new tool requiring only flow control as operation was developed in order to assesson-line the ability of a given water to generate membrane biofouling; its use as an alternative tothe autopsy was also evaluated. Nanofiltration membrane coupons were colonized in incubation devices adapted from thoseused to study biofilm in drinking water networks (Servais et al., 2004). These incubationdevices are PVC cylinder-shape reactors that were fitted with 6 circular supports; those supportsexposed 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 acontinuous flow of water to be tested (same waters as those feeding nanofiltration modules), thusallowing the membrane coupons to become colonized at the contact of the water flowing tangentially toits surface at a constant velocity of 4 cm/s. After colonization in the reactor, bacterial biomass wasestimated 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.

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Edition: Vol. - No. Published: 11/01/2006 Number of Pages: 11File Size: 1 file , 420 KB