Effect of human body secretions in pool water on the transport and separation properties of polymer membranes

In this study, we analyzed the effect of human body secretions on the transport and separation properties of membranes with high distribution properties (nanofiltration/reverse osmotic membranes). The problem of low molar mass disinfection by-products is an important issue from the point of view of public health. Therefore, it is necessary to take measures to modernize the pool water treatment circuits in-line with low-waste technologies. The pressure membrane processes presented in this study were characterized by the higher retention of impurities which is characteristic of pool water (e.g., urea, creatinine, and uric acid). In addition, the transport properties of pool water were found to be good with polyamide reverse osmosis (AFC80) membrane, which was slightly altered during the filtration cycles. It should be emphasized that an important factor that allowed to maintain high values of the volumetric permeate flux was the periodic replenishment of the feed with a fresh dose of tap water. Creatinine potentially contributes to the blocking of AFC80 membrane pores. In this study, citric acid (1% solution) was not effective in cleaning the reverse osmosis membranes.