Membrane-Based Point-Of-Use Water Treatment (PoUWT) System in Emergency Situations

Abstract

During emergency situations, effective and quick reactions are vital in order to supply safe and unpolluted drinking water within approved guidelines Point-of-use water treatment (PoUWT) system, for instance, portable membrane-based water treatment devices, could help affected people to survive while waiting for aids to arrive. In the context of portable membrane-based water purification devices, it is also found that most literature does not mention particle depositions and interactions, and membrane fouling mechanisms that might occur in these devices. The latter is especially important if the device is for private use for certain type of contaminant. It is found that the information available in the literature is mostly based on the performance of devices in terms of the following: bacteria/viruses/particles removal, cost efficiency including maintenance and repair, capacity and flow rate of permeate and producing company. These are discussed briefly as well.

Keywords:

• Emergency situations
• fouling mechanisms
• fouling substances
• membrane filtration
• membrane interactions
• portable membrane-based water treatment device