Ceramic Membrane Collaborative Research Project

This project is a collaborative project between PUB, METAWATER (formerly NGK Water Environment Systems), Black & Veatch, and Dayen Environmental. The project evaluates the use of NGK’s ceramic membranes as pretreatment for both water reuse and seawater desalination.

Ceramic membranes offer several advantages over polymeric membranes including high overall recovery rate – up to 99.9%, no fibre breakage, long membrane life, resistance to degradation by chemicals, ability to withstand higher pressures, and comparatively infrequent backwash and CIP. However, ceramic membranes are still fairly new in water and wastewater treatment. Thus the overall objective of the research project is to make a comparative assessment of the performance and whole life costs of ceramic membranes for pre-treatment in water reuse and desalination facilities.

The pilot plant has been tested at Bedok NWF since Apr 07. The optimum flux, coagulant type and dose, ozonation dose, and other operating parameters are being tested.

Disclaimer: Research collaboration with PUB shall not be construed as PUB’s endorsement of the Company’s technologies.