Optimization of hybrid coagulation-ultrafiltration process for potable water treatment using response surface methodology

Abstract In order to optimize the operating conditions for a combined polyaluminum chloride (PACl) coagulation/flocculation and ultrafiltration process for treating potable water, the main, second order and interaction effects of PACl dose and flocculation retention time (FRT) on permeate turbidity, UV254 and membrane permeability were investigated using a 100 kDa hollow fiber membrane operated in the dead-end mode. A multilevel factorial design was used to determine the relevant ranges of the two factors for optimization. A 22 central composite design (CCD) was then used to develop mathematical correlation models for the optimum operating conditions. The main effect of PACl dose was the most significant factor on all the responses. For permeability, both the main effect of FRT and FRT–PACl dose interactions were found to be insignificant. The optimum PACl dose and FRT for the feed water were 20 mg/L and 14 min, respectively. Corresponding permeate turbidity, UV254 and permeability were 0.15 ± 0.01 NTU, 0.003 ± 0.001 cm−1 and 62.0 ± 9.52 Lm−2 h−1 bar−1, respectively. Experimental validation runs confirmed the reliability of the predicted optimal conditions thus implying that CCD models can be used to predict/optimize the quality and quantity of permeate from hybrid coagulation–ultrafiltration systems for potable water treatment.