Three stages of pretreatment including sand filter, activated carbon
block and cartridge filter were used prior to MF–RO membrane process,
respectively. A centrifugal pumpwas used to introduce feed water froma
feed tank to filters and to compensate pressure drop. The main objective
of sand filtration was to filter suspended solids in the feed to prevent
major particle fouling down the process. Carbon activated block was
used to eliminate dissolved organic materials which are the main reason
of organic fouling in downstream membrane processes. Lastly, a 1 μm
polypropylene cartridge was applied to secure a clear feed flow to
MF–RO membrane process. Combination of these three stages was appliedwith
the aim of fouling reduction at downstreamMF–RO membrane
process which will increase the membranes' life and decrease expenses
and energy consumption corresponding to membrane cleaning.