The ROWPU Prefiltration System: Removal of Microorganisms
Abstract
The Army has developed a Reverse Osmosis Water Purification Unit (ROWPU) to provide potable water during field operations . The unit uses coagulation, multimedia filtration, cartridge filtration, RO, and chlorination to provide a potable product from a variety of contaminated water sources. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of the treatment system, minus reverse osmosis and chlorination, to remove microorganisms from fresh water under various conditions of water quality and at various system loading rates. If such a capability could be demonstrated, higher production rates could be realized at a lower energy cost. The system was assembled to process Monocacy River water. Bacillus globigii and Poliovirus I, LSc strain, were inoculated into river water. These organisms were unumerated at different locations within the system, as were naturally-occurring Escherichia coli, and the total aerobic and enteric bacterial groups. Nine-hour production tests were performed at 30, 35, and 40 gallon/minute flow rates. Microbiological enumerations indicated the following mean percent removals of microorganisms in the prefiltration system: Bacillus gobigii, 98.3; Escherichia coli, 93.5; Poliovirus I LSc strain, 80.3; total aerobic bacteria, 83.1; and total enteric bacteria, 86.8. Influent and process waters were also assayed for pH, alkalinity, total dissolved solids, total organic carbon, and turbidity. The multimedia filter was the major unit effecting removal.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1982
- Accession Number
- ADA115524
Entities
People
- James B. Duncan
- Mitchell J. Small
- Paul H. Gibbs
Organizations
- United States Army Medical Research and Development Command