Description
This study evaluates the performance of a polymeric microfiltration membrane, as well as its combination with a coconut
granular activated carbon (GAC) pretreatment, in a gravitational filtration module, to improve the quality of water destined to
human consumption. The proposed membrane and adsorbent were thoroughly characterized using instrumental techniques,
such as contact angle, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyses. The applied processes
(membrane and GAC + membrane) were evaluated regarding permeate flux, fouling percentage, pH and removal of
Escherichia coli, colour, turbidity and free chlorine. The obtained results for filtrations with and without GAC pretreatment
were similar in terms of water quality. GAC pretreatment ensured higher chlorine removals, as well as higher initial permeate
fluxes. This system, applying GAC as a pretreatment and a gravitational driven membrane filtration, could be considered as
an alternative point-of-use treatment for water destined for human consumption.
; Yamaguchi, Natália Ueda 
