Fouling identification for nanofiltration membrane and the potential reduction of pollutants in the leachate by using Fe/Al/PAC coagulation

The reduction in the fouling is an important way to maintain the steady operation for the nanofiltration (NF) process in leachate treatment. The fouling components from the real leachate treatment process were identified using a scanning electron microscope equipped with X‐ray microanalysis (SEM‐EDS), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), atomic analysis and three‐dimensional fluorescence (EEM) analysis, and the coagulation of Fe/Al/PAC was selected to reduce the potential pollutants in the leachate, to reduce the potential fouling. It was found that organic humic acid and calcium‐magnesium precipitates were the main pollutants in NF fouling. The foulant layer was the result of the combination of organic matter, inorganic precipitation, colloids and microorganisms, and the colloids precipitation is more important, and should be removed in advance. PAC was found to be more efficiency to reduce the colloids and the inorganic matter, among the coagulants selection, with the chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal rate of 55.1%. The commercially available coagulant‐poly aluminum chloride (PAC) was chosen as a coagulant. The removal rate of leachate reached 55.1%, and the flow rate through the membrane was increased by 35.8% under the optimum condition (pH was 5.0, PAC dosage was 100 mg/L, and the membrane pressure was 0.4 MPa). Through the pilot scale test, the effluent was connected to the microfiltration membrane and then to the nanofiltration membrane and the practical engineering application is feasible.