Abstract: In a wastewater treatment process or other water treatment process, wherein ceramic membranes are employed to filter liquid not being treated in a biological process, ozone gas is injected and dissolved into the membrane influent for the purpose of preventing fouling of the membranes, while also enhancing pathogen removal. Ozone concentration as injected is at a concentration greater than 2 mg/l, preferably at least about 5 mg/l.

Abstract: High flow, low-pressure ultrafiltration or microfiltration spiral wound membrane cartridges are used in filtration of liquid feedstocks having high suspended solids. Applications may utilize either vacuum or pumping for transmembrane drive pressure (TMP), and gas may optionally be bubbled up through the cartridges with certain feedstocks. Water permeate flux rates as high as 90 gallons per square foot per day (gfd) can be obtained at TMPs below 5 pounds per square inch. By locating each spiral wound cartridge in its own casing and supplying liquid feedstock to an open lower end of the casing, as opposed to submerging such cartridges in a tank filled with feedstock, overall low pressure performance is greatly improved. High permeate flow can be maintained for long periods of time between shutdowns for intensive cleaning.