240 Tonne/Day Industrial Reverse Osmosis System – 10 m³/Hour

The Industrial Reverse Osmosis System brings together on a single frame the membranes, pump, valves and measuring equipment that continuously running production lines need.

The Industrial Reverse Osmosis System is suitable for sites that need approximately 240 tonnes a day of water with reduced dissolved solids.

Factories & Production PlantsFood & Beverage ProductionProcess Water LinesBoiler Feed Water PreparationTextile & Dyeing PlantsOrganised Industrial Zone FacilitiesHotels & Large FacilitiesGreenhouses & Soilless Growing

The Industrial Reverse Osmosis System works on the principle of membrane separation: as water driven under high pressure passes through the semi-permeable membrane, the dissolved substances stay on the feed side of the membrane and are discharged with the concentrate. How reverse osmosis works in this way, and why pre-treatment is often needed to protect the membranes, is described in the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) overview of treatment technologies.

1. 1

   Pre-Treated Feed Water

   Having passed through the sand, carbon and softening units, the feed water enters the system’s PVC-bodied cartridge filter at an inlet pressure of 2–5 bar. The cartridge filter holds back fine particles that could otherwise reach the membranes.

2. 2

   High-Pressure Pump

   The SS304 stainless high-pressure pump delivers the water to the membrane housings at a pressure in the 10–12 bar range, depending on what the system requires. Low- and high-pressure switches monitor the working pressure.

3. 3

   Separation at the Membranes

   As the water passes through the ten 8 inch membranes, it is split in two: product water and concentrate. The standard recovery is 70%; in other words, approximately 70% of the feed water becomes product water and the rest is separated as concentrate.

4. 4

   Measurement and Adjustment

   The conductivity of the product water is read from the meter, the product and reject water flow rates from the flow meters, and the pressures from the pressure gauges. The working pressure and recovery are set with the regulating valves on the pump outlet and the reject line.

5. 5

   Product Water and Flushing

   The product water goes to the storage tank or the line of use, and the concentrate to drain. The electrically actuated automatic valves manage the flow; the auto flush valve flushes the membranes automatically.

When choosing the Industrial Reverse Osmosis System, the product water requirement, the raw water analysis, the inlet conditions and the pre-treatment should be assessed together.

The Industrial Reverse Osmosis System runs steadily with regular monitoring and timely maintenance of the pre-treatment.

• The cartridge filter should be checked regularly and replaced when it is dirty.
• Product water conductivity, product and reject water flow rates and pressure gauge readings should be logged regularly; a marked change may indicate membrane fouling.
• The feed water’s TDS, pH, iron, silica and SDI values should be tracked by periodic analysis; if a value goes outside its limit, the pre-treatment should be reviewed.
• The backwash settings of the sand and carbon units and the salt tank of the softener should be checked; hardness leakage increases the risk of scaling on the membranes.
• If antiscalant is used, dosing should continue without interruption and the chemical tank should never be left empty.
• Membrane cleaning (CIP), when needed, is carried out with a tank and pump suited to the capacity; a CIP and flushing unit can be added to the system as an option.