The purpose of this short course is to provide practical knowledge on the design and operation of membrane processes (MF, UF & RO) in the water industry. Specific membrane related problems such as membrane fouling, scaling and cleaning are dealt with in detail, including pre-treatment options and the latest developments in monitoring and controlling fouling. Microfiltration, ultrafiltration and nanofiltration (MF/UF and NF) process design schemes for the treatment of drinking water will be covered.

The course also includes computer aided design of brackish/seawater reverse osmosis systems, pre-treatment and post-treatment options for membrane systems and comparisons of membrane and thermal desalting systems. A visit to an industrial water treatment plant (UF+RO) is also included in the course.

Target group

The course is targeted for early and mid career professionals in water treatment companies, consulting agencies, ministries, and equipment suppliers. Graduate students are also welcome to apply.

Course structure

Day 1

Introduction to desalination and membrane related technologies
Basic principles of MF/UF technology
Overview of MF/UF membrane elements, modules and systems
Membrane fouling & cleaning of MF/UF systems
Calculations on Low pressure membranes

Day 2

New insights in disinfection & membrane integrity
Basic principles of RO technology
Overview of RO/NF membrane elements and energy consumption
RO system configuration & design: product flux, salt passage, NDP, array staging
Scaling in SWRO & BWRO systems

Day 3

Particulate/colloidal fouling, fouling indices & pre-treatment in RO systems
Biological fouling & pre-treatment in RO systems
Plant design calculations: SWRO Systems
Post-treatment options for RO and NF systems

Day 4

Concentrate disposal in brackish & seawater reverse osmosis systems
Recent advances in RO technology, brackish water and water reuse
Computer aided design of a SWRO & BWRO plant

Day 5

Technical visit to a full scale UF/RO plant

Lecturers

Prof. Jan Schippers, PhD is a member of the Water Supply Group at UNESCO-IHE and professor at Wageningen University. He has extensive professional experience in drinking and industrial water supply projects in Morocco, Qatar, Libya, Gabon, Cape Verde, Namibia, Uzbekistan, Chile, France and many other countries. Prof. Schippers is the past president of the European Desalination Society and chairman of scientific and programme committees of numerous international conferences and workshops of IWA and EDS.

Prof. Maria Kennedy, PhD is Professor of Water Treatment Technologies at UNESCO-IHE. She is a board member of the European Desalination Society. She has 17 years of research experience and currently specialises in research and development in the field of membrane technology. Her research areas of interest include membrane fouling (indices), scaling and cleaning and modelling of membrane systems. She has been involved in international training projects in Israel (West Bank), Jordan, Oman, St. Maarten and Yemen in the field of desalination and water reuse.

Sergio Salinas, PhD is Lecturer in Water Treatment Technology at UNESCO-IHE. He has 5 year experience in research and in integrated membrane systems . He has performed research in the fields of fouling indices and organic matter characterization for seawater reverse osmosis systems.