Abstract: A method of removing one or more heavy metals from municipal wastewater by use of a membrane separation process is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of removing one or more heavy metals from industrial wastewater by use of a membrane separation process is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of processing backwash water by use of a membrane separation process is disclosed. Specifically, the following steps are taken to process backwash water: collecting backwash water in a receptacle suitable to hold said backwash water; treating said backwash water with one or more water soluble polymers, wherein said water soluble polymers are selected from the group consisting of: amphoteric polymers; cationic polymers, wherein, said charge density is from about 5 mole percent to about 100 mole percent; zwitterionic polymers; and a combination thereof; optionally mixing said water soluble polymers with said backwash water; passing said treated backwash water through a membrane, wherein said membrane is an ultrafiltration membrane or a microfiltration membrane; and optionally back-flushing said membrane to remove solids from the membrane surface.

Abstract: A method of processing landfill leachate by use of a membrane separation process is disclosed. Specifically, the following steps are taken to process landfill leachate: collecting landfill leachate in a receptacle suitable to hold said landfill leachate; treating said landfill leachate with one or more water soluble polymers, wherein said water soluble polymers are selected from the group consisting of: amphoteric polymers; cationic polymers; zwitterionic polymers; and a combination thereof; optionally mixing said water soluble polymers with said landfill leachate; passing said treated landfill leachate through a membrane, wherein said membrane is an ultrafiltration membrane or a microfiltration membrane; and optionally back-flushing said membrane to remove solids from the membrane surface.

Abstract: A method of conditioning mixed liquor in a membrane biological reactor comprising adding to the mixed liquor an effective coagulating and flocculating amount of one or more water soluble cationic, amphoteric or zwitterionic polymers, or combination thereof and methods of reducing membrane fouling, enhancing membrane flux and reducing sludge production.

Abstract: A method of conditioning mixed liquor in a membrane biological reactor comprising adding one or more water soluble anionic polymers to the mixed liquor and also adding one or more water soluble cationic, amphoteric or zwitterionic polymers, or combination thereof; wherein said one or more water soluble anionic polymers may be added either before, simultaneously with or after the addition of said water soluble cationic, amphoteric or zwitterionic polymers is described and claimed. Also described and claimed are methods of reducing membrane fouling, enhancing membrane flux and reducing sludge production.

Abstract: A method of conditioning mixed liquor in a membrane biological reactor comprising adding to the mixed liquor an effective coagulating and flocculating amount of one or more water soluble cationic, amphoteric or zwitterionic polymers, or combination thereof and methods of reducing membrane fouling, enhancing membrane flux and reducing sludge production.

Abstract: The invention disclosed relates to a nanofiltration composite membrane that is solvent and pH stable and may be used to separate at least one dissolved or suspended component from a liquid phase, including(a) a substrate ultrafiltration membrane formed from an ethylenically unsaturated nitrile, such as acrylonitrile and substituted acrylonitrile polymers, and(b) a coating of a hydrophilic polymer containing reactive functional groups.Preferably, the reactive functional groups described in (b) are subjected to a post-coating cross-linking reaction with a substantially non-cytotoxic cross-linking agent such as bi-functional aldehydes. A method for the preparation of such composite membranes is also disclosed.