Introduction
The treatment of peat water has long presented significant challenges, especially in Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia, Southern Thailand) and certain parts of China (such as the Sanjiang Plain in Heilongjiang and the peatlands in the Yunnan Plateau), by its dark brown colour, high acidity (pH as low as 3–4), poor biodegradability of organic matter, high colour, and high organic content, peat water is a typical and difficult-to-treat natural organic pollutant. Conventional treatment processes are often costly and deliver limited effectiveness.
3E Memtech conducted the test that verified the outstanding performance of its 3ENF Series Hollow Fibre Nanofiltration Membranes in treating Indonesian peat water. The results highlight a reliable and cost-effective technological pathway for the purification and resource recovery of this complex water source.
Water Quality Background
The feed water used in this test, provided by an Indonesian company, exhibited the following typical peat water characteristics:
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- Colour: 400–800 PtCo
- Total Organic Carbon (TOC): 50–100 ppm
- Total Dissolved Solids (TDS): 30–65 ppm
- Iron（Fe） Content: 0.2–1.0 ppm
- pH: 3–5
- Turbidity: < 30 NTU
Direct use of such water not only affects its aesthetic quality but may also pose risks to human health and industrial equipment.
Test Results
Figure 1. Comparison of water samples before and after treatment
The test utilized three NF membrane modules from the 3ENF series (NF20, NF40, NF60). Using a single-step nanofiltration process without complex pre-treatment, the membranes demonstrated excellent contaminant removal efficiency:
Analysis of Test Results:
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- Colour Removal: >99%, with permeate colour reduced to 2–4 Hazen.
- TOC Removal: Up to 92.1%, effectively removing dissolved organic matter such as humic acids.
- Turbidity Removal: Up to 96%, with permeate turbidity below 0.24 NTU.
- Iron (Fe) Concentration: Reduced to <0.05 ppm.
- Colour Removal: >99%, with permeate colour reduced to 2–4 Hazen.
All parameters met the client’s requirements.
Figure 2: Pilot testing concurrently underway
Technical Advantages
The 3ENF Hollow Fibre Nanofiltration Membrane offers the following core advantages:
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- Strong Antifouling Capability: Resistant to organic clogging, ensuring longer service life.
- Acid/Alkali and Oxidation Resistance: Stable performance in the acidic environment of peat water.
- Effective Rejection of Macromolecular Organics: Adaptable to different molecular weight cut-off requirements.
These characteristics make the membrane particularly suitable for treating water with high organic content and colour. It helps simplify treatment processes and reduce both capital and operational costs, making it ideal for remote areas or regions with limited infrastructure.
Application Prospects
The success of this test not only provides a viable technical solution for treating Indonesian peat water but also serves as a valuable reference for the resource recovery of similar water bodies worldwide, such as:
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- Swamp Water (high humus content, colour)
- Textile Wastewater (high colour, recalcitrant organic matter)
- Landfill Leachate (high-concentration organic pollutants)
Conclusion
3E Memtech remains committed to the innovation and application of membrane technology, providing efficient, stable, and economical solutions to address the challenges of purifying complex water sources globally and promoting the sustainable use of water resources.
If you have related water treatment needs or technical inquiries, please feel free to contact us!
