Industrial reverse osmosis system

Types of Industrial Reverse Osmosis Systems

A typical water industrial reverse osmosis system consists of some key components. Here is a brief overview of the elements that make it work.

• Pre-filter

  Contaminant-specific filters are selected based on the intended use of the purified water. Non-contaminant filters are typically carbon or sediment filters. Specific filters might include deionization filters that remove minerals or VOC carbon filters that remove any volatile organic compounds.

• Pump

  A high-pressure feed water pump is used to pressure the water into the pre-filters for large-scale systems. Smaller systems may rely on gravity and internal water pressure to move water through the system.

• Membrane

  An outer container surrounds the semi-permeable membrane that will be used to separate contaminants at the molecular level. The membrane can be spiral, tubular, flat sheet, hollow fiber, or any other specific configuration. The type of membrane will determine the flow pattern and how wastewater and purified water are separated.

• Post-filter

  After the contaminants are removed from the water, the remaining good minerals are kept by the use of a calcite filter. This filter uses calcium carbonate to neutralize and mineralize the purified water. Other occurring contaminants may include UV filters that use ultraviolet light to kill any remaining bacteria.

• Storage Tank

  This is where the purified water is stored for later use or consumption.

• Control system

  A computerized control system will monitor the process. Alarm, flush, and other features will be included to ensure proper functioning and that the water is safe for use.

• Waste water

  This is the water that contains the concentrated contaminants removed from the purified water. It is usually sent to a sewage treatment plant.

Specification and maintenance of industrial reverse osmosis systems

Specifications

• Flow rate: The flow rate of industrial reverse osmosis systems is usually measured in gallons per minute (GPM) or liters per hour (LPH). Typical industrial reverse osmosis systems have a flow rate range from 100GPM to 3000GPM.
• Operating pressure: The operating pressure of an industrial reverse osmosis system is the pressure range at which the system works. This value influences factors such as flow rate, separation efficiency and concentration. The operating pressure of industrial reverse osmosis systems typically ranges from 50 to 100 psi.
• Recovery rate: The recovery rate refers to the proportion of influent water that is converted into purified water. For industrial applications, the recovery rate can reach 75% to 95%.
• Constituent parts: Industrial reverse osmosis systems typically consist of pre-filters, high pressure pumps, reverse osmosis membranes, post-filters and more. Each component has a different role and function, working together to achieve the purpose of purifying water.

Maintenance

Regular maintenance is required to keep the industrial reverse osmosis system operating efficiently and extending its service life.

• Replace filters: The raw water of an industrial reverse osmosis system is usually contaminated with a large number of impurities. Thus, pre-filters need to be replaced regularly. Typically, it's necessary to replace the pre-filters within 3 to 6 months.
• Clean membranes: The working efficiency of reverse osmosis membranes may decline due to the adhesion of organic matter, inorganic matter and bacteria. Cleaning the membranes can restore their separation performance and productivity. Manufacturers typically recommend cleaning the membranes with a suitable cleaning agent and technique.
• Maintain the pump: High-pressure pumps are the power sources of industrial reverse osmosis systems, thus ensuring their proper functioning is critical. Regular inspection and maintenance of high-pressure pumps are supposed to be conducted to ensure there are no leaks, blockages or other issues. Additionally, lubricating the pump's bearings and cleaning its intake areas are essential parts of maintenance.
• Check pressure gauges and valves: Regularly inspect the pressure gauges and valves of the system to ensure their proper functioning. Adjusting the operating pressure as needed helps maintain the stable operation of the entire system.
• Disinfection: Disinfection reduces bacterial contamination inside the industrial reverse osmosis system. This aids in the prevention of biofilm buildup on reverse osmosis membranes and other components, thereby preserving the system's separation efficiency. Manufacturers usually recommend disinfection methods and agents for the entire system or components.

Usage scenarios of industrial reverse osmosis systems

Industrial RO systems are typically used in large-scale settings where there is a need for consistent high volumes of purified water. Here are some key usage scenarios for industrial RO systems:

• Food and beverage manufacturing: The industrial reverse osmosis system is widely used in the food and beverage industry for food processing, brewing, dairies, and distilled beverage production. It can provide high-purity water for making products, concentrating liquids, fermenting, and cleaning equipment.
• Pharmaceutical industry: The medical and pharmaceutical industries require high-purity water for drug production, cleaning processes, and equipment sterilization. Industrial reverse osmosis systems can meet these industries' stringent water quality requirements, ensuring the removal of impurities, bacteria, and contaminants.
• Heavy industrial manufacturing: Industrial RO systems can provide high-purity water for cooling, cleaning, rinsing, and as feed water for boilers and other processing equipment. Industrial manufacturing industries include power generation, electronics, chemical, textile, metal processing, and more.
• Desalination and saltwater treatment: In coastal areas or regions with limited freshwater resources, industrial RO systems can be used to treat seawater or brackish water to produce potable water. Desalination plants employ large-scale industrial reverse osmosis systems to address water scarcity in such locations.
• Water reuse and recycling: Industrial reverse osmosis systems can be used for wastewater treatment and recycling, whereby wastewater is treated to remove contaminants, and the purified water is reused. This is beneficial in industries that generate large volumes of wastewater and can help reduce water consumption and environmental impact.
• Agriculture irrigation: Industrial reverse osmosis systems can be used to treat saline soil water or low-quality groundwater for agricultural irrigation. Purified water can improve crop yields and quality in agriculture.
• Microelectronics industry: For example, wafer fabrication in the microelectronics industry requires extremely high-purity water for cleaning, rinsing, and dilution. Industrial reverse osmosis systems with multiple stages of filtration and purification can provide the ultra-pure water needed for these sensitive processes.

How to choose an industrial reverse osmosis system

When shopping for an industrial reverse osmosis water filtration system, it is crucial to consider the water source. This includes the water quality from the specific source, the total dissolved solids (TDS), and any particular contaminants such as bacteria or heavy metals. Conducting a thorough analysis of the incoming water will help determine the specific needs of the facility. Different water sources present unique challenges and may require additional pre-treatment or post-treatment solutions.

Another important step to take is to calculate the required permeate/output water flow rate and pressure. Facilities must determine the volume of treated water required per day and hour for their specific application. This flow rate will impact the size and configuration of the industrial reverse osmosis system needed. Calculating the operating pressure is also essential, as it directly affects the efficiency and removal rates of the membrane. Facilities should ensure that the chosen reverse osmosis system can deliver the required pressure and that it is compatible with its existing plumbing and infrastructure.

Industrial reverse osmosis system Q & A

Q1. What is the source of water fed into industrial reverse osmosis systems?

A1. An industrial RO system can treat various feed water sources, including municipal tap water, surface water (e.g., rivers and lakes), groundwater, and seawater.

Q2. What are the latest trends in industrial reverse osmosis technology?

A2. The move toward "greener" industries is boosting demand for innovations in industrial reverse osmosis systems, which now have more efficient energy recovery components. These systems use less energy, and more of the water extracted from the source is put to use. Intelligent monitoring and control technologies are making industrial reverse osmosis systems more autonomous by enabling remote management, predictive maintenance, and system optimization. The recycling of waste water through industrial reverse osmosis is helping many industries to substantially lower their water input requirements.

Q3. How does an industrial reverse osmosis system energy recovery unit work?

A3. An energy recovery device recovers some of the energy from the high-pressure brine stream and uses it to pressurize the incoming feed water. Spent high-pressure water is usually channeled to a turbine or pressure exchanger. This reduces the energy consumption of the whole reverse osmosis system.

Q4. What is the energy consumption of an industrial reverse osmosis water treatment system?

A4. The energy required depends on the system's size and the water's quality being treated. However, modern systems incorporate energy recovery devices that can reduce energy consumption by up to 60-80% compared to conventional systems.

Q5. What is the waste product in an industrial reverse osmosis system called?

A5. The waste product is called concentrate or brine. It contains a high level of dissolved solids compared to the feed water.