Common pitfalls in the design and operation of membrane plants - Or how I should have done it!

The authors, jointly and separately have been involved in various aspects o f a number of membrane treatment plants: as researchers in laboratory and p ilot scale investigations, as advisors in the design phase, and as consulta nts over operating problems or equipment failure. The major portion of this experience has been related to effluent treatment installations. In the co urse of these investigations we have observed (and sometimes perpetrated) a variety of situations which led to avoidable operating problems. This pape r attempts to draw some general conclusions from these experiences, in the form of a set of guidelines, followed by some practical examples which high light the relevance of some of the points which are raised. Membrane separations have great potential in effluent treatment, but inhere nt in their power is their fragility. To harness the power, we have to prot ect the fragility from both chemical and mechanical abuse. In face of the u ncertainties and contingencies of effluent treatment, this is a difficult t ask and it is inevitable that progress will be accompanied by mistakes. It is essential that we assimilate and disseminate the information gained from these experiences. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd on behalf of the IAWQ. All rights reserved.