ELICITING EXCELLENCE IN PUBLIC HEALTH

Initial Considerations for Selection of

Water Treatment Technology and
Reverse Osmosis - RO Plant Design
Compiled By: Huzaifa Safdar
Experienced Chemical Engineer, Trainer, Water, and HSE Professional
Mobile & WhatsApp: +923453334335
Email: Huzaifa.safdar@ewashe.org, Huzaifa.safdar86@gmail.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mhsafdar-engineer-chemical/
 CATEGORIES OF IMPURITIES PRESENT IN FEED WATER

1) DISSOLVED SOLIDS: Mainly comprised of dissolved Inorganic salts(Calcium,

Magnesium, Potassium, Barium, Sodium, Bicarbonates, Chlorides, Sulphates etc.) and
some organic matters.
2) SUSPENDED SOLIDS: Tiny solid particles(0.001 to 1 µ mostly) containing Organic,
Inorganic substances and Silt and act as colloid.
3) PARTICULATE MATERIALS: Suspended solids and silts with particles size greater
than 1 µ mostly.
4) FOULANTS: Materials(Living Organisms, Organic or Inorganic substances) gets
accumulated on solid surfaces.
5) GASES, IONS AND MINERALS: CO2, NH3 OR NH4, F, Fe, Ar, Mg, Cl etc.
6) NATURAL ORGANIC MATTER(NOM): Natural substances composed of Carbon,
Hydrogen, Oxygen, and other elements in lesser amounts such as Nitrogen and Sulphur.
7) VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS(VOC) AND THMs: Manmade Organic
compounds with low boiling points. For example, Benzene, Formaldehyde,
Chlorofluorocarbons, Fossil Fuels, Paints and Coatings etc.
8) RADIOACTIVE ELEMENTS: Radium, Uranium, Radon etc.
9) BACTERIAS, MICROORGANISMS AND PESTICIDES: Total Coliforms,
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, Faecal Streptococcus, Yeast & Moulds, Salmonella,
Enterococci, DDT, Algae, Endosulfan etc.
 WHAT NEEDS TO BE MEASURED IN RAW WATER

1) TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS(PPM) Values of these parameters will effect

2) TOTAL SUSPENDED SOLIDS(PPM) largely on the Design, Operation,
3) CONDUCTIVITY(mho/cm or µS/cm) Maintenance, Cost and Life of RO system
4) COLOR(Hazen, Pt/Co or APHA)
5) TOTAL ORGANIC CARBON(TOC) AND DISSOLVED ORGANIC CARBON(mg/L)
6) TURBIDIITY(NTU)
7) PH
8) METALS AND CHEMICALS CONCENTRATIONS: Boron, Arsenic, Calcium,
Magnesium, Manganese, Sodium, Iron, Nitrites and Nitrates, Phosphate, Carbonates and
Bicarbonates, Potassium, Silicate, Sulphate, Ammonia, Copper etc.
9) TEMPERATURE(0C)
10)BACTERIA, MICROORGANISMS AND PESTICIDES
11)SCALING INDEXES AND SALTS SATURATION: Langelier Saturation Index, Stiff &
Davis Stability Index, Silt Density Index, % Saturation of BaSO4, CaSO4, BaSO4, CaF2 etc.
12)COD, BOD AND DO
13)GASES CONCENTRATIONS: Chlorine, Fluoride, Ammonia, CO2 etc.
14)Oil AND GREASE
15)RADIOACTIVITY: Total Alpha and Beta Activity And Concentration of Radioactive
Elements.
16)VOCs: Benzene, Tetrachlorethylene, Trichlorethylene, 1,2 Dichlorethane, Vinyl Chloride,
Bromoform, Dibromochloromethane, Chloroform etc.
 Filtration Spectrum
(Recommended Separation Methods Based on Size of Impurities in Water)
Visibility and Size of Different Kinds of Impurities
Selection of Treatment Technologies Based on Size and Molecular Weight
 Factors to Consider While Choosing a Treatment Technology

Following are the major factors that should be evaluated while

choosing a treatment technology:

 SOURCE AND QUALITY OF RAW WATER

 COMPOSITION OF RAW WATER

 SIZE OF IMPURITIES EXIST IN RAW WATER

 DESIRED QUALITY OF PRODUCT WATER

 AVAILABLE ENERGY TYPE AND RESOURCES

 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
Favorable Conditions for Use of Reverse Osmosis Technology

1. Removal of Total Dissolved Solids – TDS from source water (usually

greater than 3000 ppm) is required.
2. Particles and impurities to be separated have the molecular size range
< 300 Daltons.
3. Majority of ions to be removed are of monovalent type e.g. Na, Cl, K, Br,
HCO3 etc.
4. Filtration of both the types of dissolved ions organics and inorganics is
required.
5. Feed water can meet certain criteria after undergoing the pre –
treatment process(es).

To be continued…..
 ELICITING EXCELLENCE IN PUBLIC HEALTH

THANK YOU!
Please feel free to contact at below-mentioned details for any
relevant query (ies) or service needed, your feedback will be
highly appreciated.

Mr. Huzaifa Safdar

Experienced Chemical Engineer, Trainer, Water, and HSE Professional
Mobile & WhatsApp: +923453334335
Email: Huzaifa.safdar@ewashe.org, Huzaifa.safdar86@gmail.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mhsafdar-engineer-chemical/