CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

POLITEKNIK SULTAN IDRIS SHAH

DCN20072
E N V I R O N M E N T A L E N G I N E E R I N G L A B O R AT O R Y 1

EXPERIMENT TITLE :
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STUDENT’S PROFILE:
 ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY 1 DCN20072

TITTLE
MEMBRANE FILTRATION TEST

OBJECTIVE
1. To identify the effects of using membrane filter on quality of water.
2. To test the quality of water.

INTRODUCTION
A membrane filtration test is used to determine the presence of organisms in water samples.
Membrane filtration, in its most basic form, involves passing a single feed stream through a
membrane system that separates it into two streams as permeate and retentate. The holes of such
membrane materials are so small that they are measured in Angstrom (10-10 m), and forcing liquid
through them necessitates applying pressure. The pores in nanofiltration and reverse osmosis
membranes are so small that they can't even be seen using a scanning electron microscope.
The membrane that separates them is a precision-engineered physical barrier that permits only
specified components from the feed stream to pass through. A permeable membrane is used to
catch microorganisms in this method. The water is incubated for 24 hours after the filter is applied.
Membrane filtration typically employs a thin filter media. Its features uneven forms and is intended
to keep debris out of the winding passages. The separation procedure is based on the
differentiation of certain physical traits on the surface by excluding them. This eliminates the
possibility of big particles accumulating on the filter. Allows for the testing of large sample volumes.
Almost any volume of non-turbid water, with organisms from each volume placed on the disc, could
theoretically be filtered via the disc.
The membrane can be moved from one medium to another to select or distinguish organisms,
allowing for the isolation and counting of separate bacterium colonies. The results can be obtained
much more quickly than with typical MPN standard techniques. Within 24 hours, it will notify you of
your presence or absence. Membrane filters are widely employed in the laboratory and industry to
sterilized materials that are susceptible to heat damage. Pharmaceutical items such as
medications, hormones, sera, and vitamins, as well as nutritional supplements and culture media,
are among these materials.

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PROCEDURE (FLOWCHART) :

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DATA AND RESULT :

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DATA ANALYSIS /CALCULATION :

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DISCUSSION :
In the experiment conducted there are 3 parameters used which is turbidity, dissolved oxygen
and pH. The sample water also takes for 3 different places or point. Point A is In point A the
turbidity is 22.1 (NTU) before filtration happened. Meanwhile at point B is 13.5 (NTU) and before is
13.5 (NTU) For point 3 is 10.37 (NTU) and after filtration is 2.81 (NTU). Turbidity is caused by
suspended or soluble particles in water scattering light, making the water appear cloudy or turbid.
Sediments, mostly clay and silt, fine organics and inorganic debris, soluble coloured organic
compounds, algae, and other microscopic organisms are examples of particles. Hence that means
in every unfiltered water there will be high turbidity due to the environment where the water is
taken. But in this experiment the result changes after the water sample performs membrane
filtration a reduction in turbidity occurs which also means that the particles suspended in the water
sample can be slightly removed.
Next the parameter dissolved oxygen was used. One of the most important markers of water
quality is dissolved oxygen (DO). It is necessary for fish and other aquatic species to survive. The
aerating action of winds causes oxygen to dissolve in surface water. Aquatic plant photosynthesis
releases oxygen into the water as a byproduct. The dissolved oxygen before experiment was
performs in point A, B and C is 884 mg/L, 63.7 mg/L and 0.35 mg/L. From this result the highest is
point A cause as know that cold water holds more dissolved oxygen than warm water. A high level
of dissolved oxygen (DO) in a community water supply is beneficial since it improves the taste of
drinking water. High DO levels, on the other hand, hasten the degradation of water pipelines. The
amount of oxygen in lakes varies depending on their depth. After membrane filtration experiment all
the result was changes which is point A 785 mg/L, point B 59.5 mg/L and point C is 0.036 mg/L for
the lowest.
The pH of water is a measurement of how acidic or basic it is. The range is 0 to 14, with 7 being
the neutral value. Acidity is indicated by a pH less than 7, while a pH greater than 7 indicates a
base. The pH of water is an extremely essential indicator of water quality. The before filtration pH
for point A, B and C is 6. 9, 7.1 and 7.2. In this experiment the result before and after just different
by 1 number. That’s is 6.8, 7 and 7.1 pH. PH level of water sources should be measured between
6.5 and 8.5 on a scale ranging from 0 to 14, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency.
The ideal pH for drinking water is 7, which is squarely in the middle. Which means in point A,B and
C all the ph number still below 8.5 so the water is safe to drink but the ideal ph is still 7. Water with
a low pH can be acidic, naturally soft and corrosive. Acidic water can leach metals from pipes and
fixtures, such as copper, lead and zinc.

In this experiment conducted there are 3 parameters used which is turbidity, dissolved oxygen
and pH. The sample water also takes for 3 different places or point. If compared the final result for
parameter turbidity for which point A.B and C is between 78.5 mg/L, 59.5 mg/L and 0.036mg/L in
Water Quality Standards Malaysia the result will be in different classes. As point point A and B will
be in the same class that is (IIA). In this class, the use is that water sample requires conventional
treatment according to water supply II that is a method of water treatment includes of coagulant
chemicals, flash mixing, coagulation-flocculation, sedimentation, and filtration. Also known as
complete treatment water. If in fishery II the sensitive aquatic species means the place is not
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suitable for aquatic animal live. Next is point C which is in class I which is below 5, used for
Conservation of the natural environment. In water supply the need to treat is no necessary. For
fishery is was very sensitive for aquatic species which means it can be detrimental to the
surroundings.
For dissolved oxygen, point A and B is not in any class because it has exceeded 100 mg/L which
is 758mg/L and 59.5 mg/L. The highest levels of oxygen in the water is in early evening, after a full
days production. For knowledge water samples were taken in the evening. The ability of water to
hold dissolved oxygen decreases as the temperature rises. Even though membrane filtration is
perform its still have highest dissolved oxygen. - Water should have a total dissolved gas
concentration of no more than 110 percent. Concentrations higher than this can be toxic to aquatic
life. "Gas bubble disease" can affect fish in waters with too much dissolved gas; nevertheless, this
is a relatively unusual occurrence. The bubbles obstruct blood flow through blood arteries, resulting
in death. External bubbles (emphysema) can form and be visible on fins, skin, and other tissue.
Gas bubble illness affects aquatic invertebrates as well, although at levels higher than those that
kill fish. And for point C it had 0.036 mg/L which show the class is V less than 1 mg/L. A certain
amount of dissolved oxygen is required for excellent water quality. All types of life require oxygen to
survive. In order to support aerobic living forms, natural stream purification processes necessitate
proper oxygen levels. Aquatic life is put under duress when dissolved oxygen levels in water fall
below 5.0 ppm. The more the stress, the lesser the concentration. Fish kills can occur when oxygen
levels drop below 1-2 ppm for a few hours.
As for ph point A, B and C is average between 6.8 and 7.1 which means that’s pH was at IIA
class. In general, a water with a pH < 7 is considered acidic and with a pH > 7 is considered basic.
The normal range for pH in surface water systems is 6.5 to 8.5 and for groundwater systems 6 to
8.5. According to the national water quality, this water sample needs to undergo conventional
treatment so that the water can be cleaner and can be drunk. In pH conditions like this, sensitive
aquatic species are also easily harmful to the environment.
Make sure that the apparatus to be used is clean so that no substance is inside that can cause
the experiment to fail and become contaminated. When performing experiments, make sure the
experimental area is in a clean condition, this ensures that the work zone is free of debris and
clutter. There is nothing worse or more depressing than trying to conduct serious experiments and
research in a messy area. It can create unnecessary stress if you are already under pressure to
produce timely results. Working in the lab, hazardous items may be present at times. The safety of
the laboratory can be ensured by employing the right way of removing and disposing of these
materials or residues from them.

POSTLAB QUESTIONS :
1. The four types of membrane filtration are known as reverse osmosis, nanofiltration,
ultrafiltration and microfiltration, in order of increasing pore size. In liquid
separation, reverse osmosis uses the tightest membrane feasible. Water is the only
substance that can pass through the membrane in principle. Bacteria, spores, lipids,
proteins, gums, salts, sugars, minerals, and other things will be unable to get
through. Small ions (such as minerals) can pass during nanofiltration, while bigger
ions and most organic components are blocked such as bacteria, spores, fats,
proteins, gums and sugars. Nanofiltration is a finer separation method than reverse
osmosis, and it uses slightly more open membranes. Ultrafiltration is accomplished
through the use of membranes with bigger holes and low pressure. Proteins, lipids,
and polysaccharides are allowed to pass, while salts, sugars, organic acids, and
smaller peptides are not. Suspended particles, bacteria, and fat globules are usually
the only things that aren't allowed to pass through microfiltration.
2. A gravity water filter is a piece of equipment that uses gravity to filter polluted or
contaminated water. It appears to be overly wide. There are two chambers in this
device: the top chamber and the bottom chamber. The upper chamber will receive
polluted water, while the lower chamber will serve as the finish line, where
contaminated water will be converted to filtered water. The Gravity Water Filter is
ideal since it is simple to use and does not require plumbing or energy to operate.
To begin, select a filter paper size that will fold to a few millimetres below the rim of
the stemmed funnel. To form a cone, fold the paper in half and then in half again, as
shown. After that, the glass funnel should be held in a ring or inserted into the neck
of an Erlenmeyer flask. Wet the filter paper with a few millilitres of the solvent that
will be used in the next step. Wet the paper against the glass funnel to keep it in
place. If necessary, pour the filtered mixture through the funnel in small batches.
When using organic solvents in gravity filtering, fluted filter paper is usually used.
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The diagram below shows how to fold fluted filter paper.

CONCLUSION :

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The conclusion for this lab is the objective successfully achieved that is to identify the
effects of using membrane filter on quality of water and to test the quality of water. Based
on the result the information that can be conclude is that the 3 parameter than been use
turbidity, dissolved oxygen and pH have different effect to water quality based on National
Water Standard Quality. As can be seen all of the results are either high tau in less than one
state and none at all in national water quality. This means that every available water sample
must be filtered first to get good water for everyone's use, especially water for our daily
drinking. Water also has various types according to the parameters provided. For example,
like dissolved oxygen, there are 2 points, one of which has no class in the national water
quality standards.

REFERENCES :

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1. http://osse.ssec.wisc.edu/curriculum/earth/Minifact4_Dissolved_Oxygen.pdf
2.

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