Membrane techniques in water treatment and water renovation

Due to the changes in the approach to water treatment for consumption purposes and the growing requirements imposed on the quality of potable water, membrane technologies are currently viewed as alternative processes in water treatment operations. Membrane techniques can be used as independent processes for the removal of impurities from water or can be combined with complementary processes applied in water treatment systems (physical, chemical or biological). The paper describes the possibility of applying membrane techniques in water treatment processes. Desalination of sea, brackish and mine water, softening of natural waters and treatment for drinking water purpose as well as the removal of nitrates and volatile organics by membrane techniques have been discussed.