A high TOC (Total Organic Carbon) poses a significant challenge in industrial reverse osmosis and water recycling plants. Organic contaminants such as TOC, COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand), phosphorus and nitrogen can affect plant efficiency and drive up operating costs. This article sheds light on the problem of organic contamination and introduces our solution, the biofiltration ALMA BioFil Compactbiofiltration system.
Table of contents
Why is a high TOC problematic?
TOC is a measure of the total content of organic compounds in water. These compounds come from a variety of sources and can include both dissolved and particulate components. A high TOC content can have the following negative effects:
1. biofouling
TOC serves as a food source for microorganisms, which promotes the growth of biofilms on the membranes. These biofilms:
- Reduce the water flow (flux) through the membrane.
- Increase the pressure loss across the system.
- Require more frequent chemical cleaning (CIP), which increases operating costs.
2. scaling and deposits
Organic compounds can react with other substances in the water (e.g. calcium or iron) and form poorly soluble deposits. These deposits:
- Affect the salt retention rate.
- Shorten the service life of the membranes.
3. impairment of water quality
TOC can degrade the quality of the permeate, especially in applications requiring high purity water. Residues of organic compounds can:
- Lead to undesirable tastes and odors.
- Affect the safety of process water.
4. higher operating costs
The additional cleaning cycles, the increased energy requirement and the shortened service life of the membranes lead to a significant increase in operating costs.
Sources of TOC and organic loads
Organic compounds can come from a variety of sources, including
- Industrial wastewater: residues from food, pharmaceutical or chemical production.
- Surface water: Inputs from organic substances such as humic substances.
- Cleaning processes: Residues from cleaning agents or production processes.
- Condensates: Organic substances originating from steam condensates or process condensates.
Our solution: Biofiltration with ALMA BioFil Compact
Photo: Our ALMA BioFil Compact biofiltration system for reducing residual organic loads upstream of reverse osmosis systems
The ALMA BioFil Compact biofiltration system is an effective and sustainable solution for the reduction of TOC and other organic loads. This system was specially developed to meet the requirements of wastewater and water recycling plants.
How the BioFil Compact works
The ALMA BioFil Compact works according to the principle of biologically activated filtration. The water is passed through a filter medium coated with specially selected microorganisms. These microorganisms:
- Metabolize organic compounds: TOC and COD are converted into harmless end products such as CO₂ and water.
- Remove nutrients: Phosphorus and nitrogen are also reduced, which minimizes secondary problems such as algae growth.
Advantages of the BioFIL Compact
1. effective reduction of organic loads:
- Reduction of TOC and COD by up to 90 %.
- Reduction of phosphorus and nitrogen.
2. avoidance of biofouling:
- Upstream biofiltration significantly reduces the risk of biofilm growth on the membranes.
3. compact design:
- Ideal for smaller wastewater volumes (up to 50 m³/h).
- Easy integration into existing systems.
4. sustainable solution:
- The biological approach minimizes the use of chemical cleaning agents and reduces the ecological footprint.
5. cost efficiency:
- Longer service life of the diaphragms.
- Reduced energy and chemical consumption.
Photo: 3D design of our ALMA BioFil Compact biofiltration system
Conclusion
A high TOC in wastewater is a serious challenge for reverse osmosis and water recycling plants. With ALMA BioFIL Compact biofiltration, we offer an innovative and sustainable solution that not only effectively reduces TOC, but also COD, phosphorus and nitrogen. By using our technology, you can operate your plants more efficiently, reduce operating costs and make a contribution to environmental protection at the same time.
For further information on our products, please feel free to contact us at any time!
