Characterization of natural organic matter in South African drinking water treatment plants: Towards integrating ceramic membrane filtration

This work presents the first comprehensive investigation of natural organic matter (NOM) fraction removal using ceramic membranes in South Africa. The rate of removal of bulk NOM (measured as UV₂₅₄ and DOC % removal), the biodegradable dissolved organic carbon (BDOC) fraction, polarity-based fractions, and fluorescent dissolved...

Modeling the antifouling properties of atomic layer deposition surface-modified ceramic nanofiltration membranes

This work investigates the enhancement of antifouling properties of ceramic nanofiltration membranes by surface modification via atomic layer deposition (ALD) of TiO₂. Feed solutions containing bovine serum albumin (BSA), humic acid (HA) and sodium alginate (SA) were used as model foulants. The classic fouling mechanism models and...

The synergistic fouling of ceramic membranes by particles and natural organic matter fractions using different surface waters in South Africa

This study demonstrates the fundamental differences in fouling development and mechanisms of unfiltered and 0.45 µm pre-filtered water samples on ceramic membranes. Robust characterization of the feed waters was conducted using gravimetric analysis, optical methods and modeling techniques. UV₂₅₄ removal and suspended solids (SS)...

Investigating the fate of natural organic matter at a drinking water treatment plant in south africa using optical spectroscopy and chemometric analysis

The removal dynamics of biodegradable dissolved organic carbon (BDOC) and natural organic matter (NOM) polarity fractions at a water treatment plant (WTP) in South Africa was studied using UV-Vis absorbance, fluorescence excitation-emission matrix, and two-dimensional synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy (SFS). This study gave insights into...

Monitoring the characteristics and removal of natural organic matter fractions in selected south african water treatment plants

This study used spectroscopic methods to investigate the fate and dynamics of natural organic matter (NOM) as it traverses the treatment train at three water treatment plants (WTPs) in South Africa. The character, quantity, and removability of NOM at specific treatment stages was investigated by measuring changes in dissolved organic carbon ...

The properties and removal efficacies of natural organic matter fractions by South African drinking water treatment plants

This study presents an investigation on the fate of natural organic matter (NOM) and its dynamics throughout the treatment train at various drinking water treatment plants (WTP) in South Africa. The characteristics, concentration and removal efficiencies of NOM at various treatment stages on the basis of dissolved organic carbon, UV...

Fundamental fouling mechanisms of dissolved organic matter fractions and their implications on the surface modifications of ceramic nanofiltration membranes: insights from a laboratory scale application

This work reports on the fundamental factors influencing inter-foulant and foulant-membrane interactions during simulated dissolved organic matter removal using ceramic nanofiltration. Fouling tests were performed using sodium alginate (SAL), humic acid (HA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) as model foulants. Fouling potentials of each foulant and...