Performance Modeling of a Reverse Osmosis Element for Water Purification

Reverse osmosis (RO) membranes provide reliable and efficient separation of dissolved ions from aqueous feeds and are utilized heavily in large-scale water purification operations. Often, these systems will have strict production requirements on pure water as well as complex feed streams containing multiple dissolved ions. To assist with end users' selection process on which RO products best fit their application, FILMTEC™ produces and maintains a software package that can be used to predict the performance of an RO system with regard to operating temperatures, feed pH, ion composition, and production output.* These performance predictions are functions of the various element construction parameters as well as overall system design. In this work, a newly developed membrane element designed for superior antifouling performance is tested over a large concentration range of total dissolved solids. The experimental results are modeled using both empirical and fundamental relationships, and additional performance data is also discussed.

*FILMTEC is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company.