A Dynamic Reactor to Study Disinfection of Drinking Water

Because natural water changes seasonally and with other factors, monitoring the disinfection of it should include a feedback system that tests the outcome and adapts the disinfection chemical to maintain a constant desired level of microorganisms being suppressed. Springthorpe and Sattar (both environmental microbiology, U. of Ottawa) investigate the feasibility of using such a dynamic system to deliver a continuous residual. They enclosed the test microorganisms within a hollow fiber cartridge originally developed for use in kidney dialysis, and delivered the disinfectant through the semi-permeable membrane bundle of the cartridge from a plant or pilot plant effluent at a constant residual. Any demand from the contents of the hollow fibers was rapidly satisfied by the continuous delivery of fresh disinfectant. Annotation copyrighted by Book News Inc., Portland, OR.