Process for enhanced total organic carbon removal while maintaining optimum membrane filter performance

A process for optimizing the removal of total organic carbon (TOC) from water while enhancing the performance of a membrane filter in a filtration system, comprising:

• dispersing an effective amount of coagulant into a volume of water in a first tank;
• adjusting the pH level of said water in said first tank to a first pH set point for optimum TOC removal;
• directing said water through a liquid-solid separator device to remove chemically-precipitated particulates and into a second tank;
• and
• adjusting the pH level of said water in said second tank to a second pH set point for optimum performance of said membrane filter prior to directing said water through said membrane filter.

A system for optimizing the removal of total organic carbon (TOC) from water while enhancing the performance of a membrane filter in a filtration system, comprising:

• a first mixing tank for receiving a volume of water from a source, said first mixing tank having a first pH probe for measuring pH of said water in said first mixing tank and a first mechanism for adjusting the pH level of water in said first mixing tank;
• a mechanism for dispersing a coagulant into said water in said first mixing tank;
• a liquid-solid separator device in fluid communication with said first mixing tank for receiving water from said first mixing tank;
• a second mixing tank for holding water, said second mixing tank in fluid communication with said liquid-solid separator device for receiving water directed through said liquid-solid separator device, said second mixing tank having a second pH probe for measuring pH of said water in said second mixing tank and a second mechanism for adjusting the pH level of water in said second mixing tank;
• and
• a membrane filter in fluid communication with said second mixing tank for receiving water from said second mixing tank;
• wherein said first adjusting mechanism adjusts the pH level of the water in said first mixing tank to a first pH set point for optimum TOC removal prior to directing said water through said liquid-solid separator device and said second adjusting mechanism adjusts the pH level of the water in said second mixing tank to a second pH set point for optimum performance of said membrane filter prior to directing said water through said membrane filter.