The properties of NOM particles removed from water in ultrafiltration, ion exchange and integrated processes

摘要

Natural organic matter (NOM) is a complex mixture of organic compounds consisting of various elemental compositions and chemical structures. The different NOM fractions exhibit different properties in terms of treatability. This research focused on identification of NOM fractions removed from water in ion exchange, ultrafiltration and ion exchange/ultrafiltration integrated processes. Analysis based on fractionation with the use of XAD resins and membrane techniques as well as elemental analysis of organic matter was performed. Obtained results showed that the application of integrated processes allowed for a joint effect of low molecular weight compound removal by ion exchange processes with high molecular weight particle separation by ultrafiltration. Fractional analysis demonstrated a poor separation of hydrophilic fractions and effective removal of hydrophobic compounds by ultrafiltration and ion exchange, while integrated processes effectively removed both hydrophobic and charged hydrophilic NOM fractions. Elemental analysis showed a dominance of fulvic acids in the examined solution.