Pre-treatment of SWRO pilot plant for desalination using submerged MF membrane process: Trouble shooting and optimization

► A submerged MF membrane was tested at high flux as a pre-treatment process of SWRO. ► The design parameters were developed during the pilot plant operation period. ► Comparison of performance between the membrane- and conventional- pre-treatment. ► Coagulation optimization and foaming was studied during the pilot plant operation. ► Foaming potential was affected by the colloidal particles and NaOCl concentrations.