Containerized Water Treatment System Utilizing Integrated Membrane Technology

RODI Systems Corp., Aztec, New Mexico, USA

Summary: This document describes a totally self-contained, containerized water treatment system capable of delivering safe drinking water or clean process water from virtually any freshwater, brackish water, or seawater source. By utilizing containerized construction and an integrated membrane treatment technique, RODI Systems can provide a completely assembled, pre-tested system capable of utilizing feed water from a number of sources. These systems are also well-suited for reclaiming waste water containing suspended solids and high dissolved solids (waste waters containing oil, grease, or high BOD would require additional treatment). RODIs containerized water treatment systems offer a number of advantages including ease of financing, ease of installation, flexibility, and cost effectiveness.

INTRODUCTION For the last fifteen years, the professionals at RODI Systems Corp. have been involved in the design and construction of membrane-based water treatment systems. RODI has built its reputation around treatment of challenging feed waters such as oil field produced water, seawater, and contaminated brackish groundwater. The majority of the treatment systems designed and built by RODI have been portable, either trailer-mounted or built inside a general purpose, dry cargo shipping container. This paper describes a containerized integrated membrane treatment system (CIMS) designed by RODI to treat contaminated freshwater, brackish water, or seawater. This system was designed in multiple sizes to fit a 20 ft or 40 ft shipping container and provide a production rate of 25,000 to 300,000 gallons per day. Chemical Treatment - Depending upon the feed water source, chemical treatment may be necessary. This will generally involve the addition of scale inhibitor. Chemical treatment may also involve the addition of certain coagulants to assist in the removal of suspended solids. Ultrafiltration - The UF membrane is used to remove suspended solids which would otherwise foul the RO membrane. The UF membrane will generally reject any solid greater than 100,000 molecular weight. Reverse Osmosis - The RO membrane is used to remove dissolved ions (salts) and any other non-ionic dissolved solid over approximately 100 molecular weight. Activated Carbon - This step is used to polish the RO permeate to remove any low molecular weight organics that may have passed through the RO membrane. Chlorination - Used to prevent biological regrowth in the treated water before it is used. SELF-CONTAINED OPERATION. The CIMS is designed to operate as a portable, self-contained treatment system. All necessary treatment equipment and supplies are furnished as part of the container housing the treatment system. Power may be supplied by an optional diesel generator set. AUTOMATIC CONTROL. The CIMS is equipped with a microprocessor-based monitoring and control system. This system may be remotely monitored via telephone modem. The automatic control system is equipped with manual overrides should manual control become necessary.

TREATMENT PROCESS OVERVIEW The CIMS is based upon the use of ultrafiltration (UF) and reverse osmosis (RO) membrane technology. These are membrane water treatment processes which provide a physical barrier to the passage of suspended (UF and RO) and dissolved solids (RO). By doing so, UF and RO are capable of removing virtually all contaminants, either biological or chemical, from a contaminated water source. TREATMENT STEPS. The CIMS utilizes a number of treatment steps. These are described below. Backwashable Filter - This is the first step of the treatment process and is used to remove relatively large suspended particles which could plug the capillary tubes of the UF elements. This filter backwashes automatically and requires no expendables.

TREATMENT SYSTEM SPECIFICATIONS Specifications for the CIMS are listed below: Container - The CIMS is housed in a modified dry cargo shipping container. Modifications include waterproof flooring, insulation on ceiling and walls, one man door for personnel access, overhead lighting and power outlets, and air conditioning and heating (if necessary). Power - For remote locations, power is supplied by means of an optional diesel generator set. The generator set is housed in a separate sound insulated compartment of the container. The electrical system includes a main fused disconnect with a secondary circuit breaker. All branch circuits are also fused with secondary circuit breakers. Ultrafiltration System - UF system consists of a feed pump, hollow-fiber UF elements, and all necessary piping and valves. A backwash/cleaning system provides automatic periodic backwash with chlorine injection. RO System - RO system consists of a high pressure pump and pressure vessels holding spiral-wound membrane elements eight inches in diameter. Ample membrane surface area is provided to keep flux rates to a minimum thus

assuring dependable performance with a low membrane fouling rate. Cleaning System - A hard-piped cleaning system is included for cleaning both the UF and RO membrane elements. Monitoring and Control System - The CIMS is equipped with a computerized control system with an LCD touch screen operator interface. Manual overrides are available for all control functions. All necessary operating data is monitored and logged. Data is available for local download or remote troubleshooting via telephone, cellular, or satellite modem. Size and Weight - See Table 1. Production Capacity - See Table 1.

FLOW DIAGRAM The overall flow diagram for the 25,000 GPD CIMS is illustrated by Figures 1 and 2. Note that actual flows may vary depending upon the feed water quality and system size.

TABLE 1. CAPACITY, SIZE, AND WEIGHT

Nominal Production Capacity (at 77? F) Brackish Water 15,000 GPD 25,000 GPD 50,000 GPD 150,000 GPD Seawater 9,500 GPD 16,000 GPD 33,000 GPD 100,000 GPD Size (L x W x H) 20 ft x 8 ft x 8.5 ft 20 ft x 8 ft x 8.5 ft 40 ft x 8 ft x 8.5 ft 40 ft x 8 ft x 8.5 ft (two containers) 40 ft x 8 ft x 8.5 ft (two containers)

Weight 15,000 lbs 15,000 lbs 30,000 lbs 30,000 lbs (per container) 35,000 lbs (per container)

300,000 GPD

200,000 GPD

v. 112006

505-334-5865 ph 505-334-5867 fax www.rodisystems.com email: info@rodisystems.com 936 Highway 516 Aztec, NM 87410

FLOW DIAGRAM FIGURE 1

Raw Supply Supply Pump

23 gpm

Filter Backwash
0.5 gpm

Backwashable Screen Filter

UF Feed Pump UF Recycle

10 gpm 32.5 gpm

UF Reject/Backwash HOCl Injection

0.2 gpm

UF System
0.02 gpd

22.3 gpm

25 gph 0.2 gpd

Backwash Pump

Filtered Water Storage

21.7 gpm

RO Booster Pump Scale Inhibitor Injection

To RO High Pressure Pump

FLOW DIAGRAM FIGURE 2

From RO Booster Pump RO High Pressure Pump

21.7 gpm

RO Pressure Vessels

RO Reject

4.3 gpm

17.3 gpm

Carbon Adsorber

RO Permeate Storage

Product Booster Pump HOCl Injection

0.1 gpd

For Consumption