Process for enhanced total organic carbon removal while maintaining optimum membrane filter performance

Abstract

A system and process for enhancing total organic carbon (“TOC”) removal from raw, untreated water while maintaining optimum membrane filter performance. The present invention overcomes many of the disadvantages of prior art water filtration systems by controlling the pH level of the water, prior to the water being directed through said membrane filter, so that the particulate charge of the water aligns with the electromagnetic surface charge of membrane filter. Maintaining the particulate charge of the water within an optimum charge window for the particular membrane filter enhances the membrane filter's performance by decreasing the fouling rate of the membrane filter.

1 - 39 . (canceled) 
     
     
         40 . A controller for optimizing the removal of total organic carbon (TOC) from water while enhancing the performance of a membrane filter, the controller configured to:
 receive a first input signal corresponding to a TOC level of the water;   generate a first control signal to disperse an effective amount of a coagulant into the water based on the first input signal;   receive a second input signal corresponding to a pH level of the water;   receive a third input signal corresponding to a micro amp streaming current of the water; and   generate a second control signal to adjust the pH level of the water, prior to the water being directed through the membrane filter, to align the particulate charge of the water with an electromagnetic surface charge of the membrane filter based on the second and third input signals.   
     
     
         41 . The controller of  claim 40 , wherein the effective amount of coagulant is further based upon at least one of a volume of the water, a temperature of the water, and an optimum charge window for the membrane filter. 
     
     
         42 . The controller of  claim 40 , wherein the coagulant is dispersed in a first stage of a membrane filtration system, and the particulate charge is aligned with the electromagnetic surface charge of the membrane filter in a second stage of the membrane filtration system. 
     
     
         43 . The controller of  claim 42 , further configured to maintain a first pH level in the first stage to maximize TOC removal during liquids-solids filtration, and to maintain a second pH level in the second stage to optimize performance of the membrane filter. 
     
     
         44 . The controller of  claim 43 , wherein the first pH level is about 4.0 to 6.0 and the second pH level is about 7.0 to 8.0. 
     
     
         45 . The controller of  claim 40 , further configured to monitor a trans-membrane pressure of the membrane filter, and generate a third control signal to prevent the water from being directed through the membrane filter when the trans-membrane pressure exceeds a predetermined value.