11 patents in this list

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Reverse osmosis systems must reliably remove pathogens while maintaining flow rates of 15-50 gallons per day for household units. Current polyamide membranes achieve 99.9% bacterial rejection but face persistent challenges with membrane fouling, which can reduce flux by up to 50% within weeks of operation and create channels for pathogen breakthrough.

The fundamental challenge lies in maintaining consistent pathogen removal while preventing membrane fouling and degradation over thousands of hours of operation.

This page brings together solutions from recent research—including anti-fouling membrane compositions, stabilized biocide treatments, self-purging pressure regulators, and decentralized treatment architectures. These and other approaches focus on ensuring consistent pathogen removal while extending membrane life and reducing maintenance requirements.

1. Portable Water Purification Unit with Dual Filtration Technologies and Multi-Power Source Capability

Ansa Technologies, Inc., 2023

This is a portable, hand-carrying water purification unit that can filter freshwater or desalinate salt water. It is designed to be rugged, durable, and easily transported in challenging environments. An internal rechargeable battery pack or external power sources can power it. It uses a combination of filtration technologies, including nanofiltration and reverse osmosis, to treat a range of water sources.

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2. Decentralized Wastewater Treatment System with Integrated On-Site Processing and Separation Mechanisms

VEJAY KUMAR, 2022

A decentralized, facility-based wastewater treatment system that eliminates the need for sewers and central treatment plants. It involves equipping toilets with technology like blades, tanks, pumps, filters, and chemical systems to process and recover wastewater on-site. The system treats and separates black and gray water into reusable treated water and fertilizer-like slurry. The recovered water can be reused while the slurry is safely disposed of. It enables pathogen removal with reverse osmosis, eliminates centralized treatment, saves water, and prevents pollution compared to traditional sewers.

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3. Thin-Film Composite Polyamide Membrane with Metal-Organic Framework Integration

TONGJI UNIVERSITY, 2022

A thin-film composite polyamide reverse osmosis membrane with improved fouling resistance and an efficient preparation method using metal-organic frameworks for water purification. The membrane has antibacterial and anti-biofouling properties to prevent fouling and extend membrane life. The method involves loading a specific metal-organic framework (CuBTTri) into a polyamide thin film on an ultrafiltration membrane substrate.

4. Reverse Osmosis Wastewater Reuse System with Chlorination and Chemical Adjustment

ALLFLOW EQUIPAMENTOS INDUSTRIAIS E COMERCIO LTDA., 2022

A system and method for reusing wastewater from a reverse osmosis filtering process that allows the reuse of wastewater from reverse osmosis (RO) filtration for high-value applications like pharmaceutical manufacturing. The system involves pre-treating the waste RO water with chlorination and chemical adjustment to bring it within an acceptable pH and conductivity range, then blending it with treated chlorinated drinking water before reuse. This allows the waste RO water to be safely reused by bringing its properties in line with regulatory standards.

5. Method for Reverse Osmosis System Maintenance Using Stabilized Hypochlorous Acid Solution

JUSTEQ, LLC, ACCULAB CO., LTD., 2021

Method of maintaining, cleaning, and defouling reverse osmosis systems using a stabilized hypochlorous acid solution as a biocide. The solution is prepared by reacting a chlorine source with a stabilizer in a molar ratio of 1:9 to 9:1. A bromide ion source can be added to produce stabilized hypobromous acid. The biocide is effective at preventing biofouling of RO membranes without harming them.

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6. Reverse Osmosis Membrane with Covalently Bonded Quaternary Ammonium Antimicrobial Layer

Toray Advanced Materials Korea Inc., 2021

Reverse osmosis membrane with resistance to fouling and antimicrobial properties for water purification. The membrane has an outer antimicrobial layer covalently bonded to the polyamide layer of the membrane. A compound from the quaternary ammonium compounds family is used as the antimicrobial agent. This layer surrounds the polyamide layer to prevent fouling and microbial growth on the membrane surface.

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7. Reverse Osmosis System with In-Situ Permeate Flow Path Biocide Injection Mechanism

ECOLAB USA INC., 2021

Sanitizing the permeate flow path of a reverse osmosis system without disassembly. The method involves injecting a biocide into the permeate compartment while the system is operating, using the unused permeate ports on the end of the system. The injected biocide can sanitize the entire permeate flow path to prevent fouling and bacteria growth.

8. Reverse Osmosis Membrane Element with Smooth Epoxy Sealant and Notched Brine Seal

Sandymount Technologies Corporation, 2020

Sanitary reverse osmosis membrane element for high-pressure operation in food and beverage processing or pharmaceutical production applications. The element has a wound membrane filter wrapped in a smooth epoxy sealant layer to prevent bacterial growth. A brine seal with notches allows controlled bypass flow to avoid stagnant zones. The design eliminates stagnant zones while allowing some bypass flow to maintain sanitary conditions.

9. Automated Medical Piping Disinfection Apparatus with Integrated Solution Mixing and Remote Monitoring

Yu Tsung Lin, 2020

Apparatus for automatically disinfecting medical piping with features like an automated mixing of disinfection solutions, periodic cleaning cycles, and remote monitoring of the process. The apparatus uses a main controller to automatically mix disinfectant with purified water and deliver it through the piping to clean and disinfect medical devices. The system has valves, pumps, and sensors to control the flow and monitor the disinfection process.

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10. Nanoporous Polyethersulfone/Polyethylene Oxide-Polysilsesquioxane Blend RO Membrane with Hydrophilic Pore Polymers and Cross-Linked Polyamide Layer

UOP LLC, 2020

This is a reverse osmosis (RO) membrane for water purification that has high flux (permeability), high rejection (of contaminants), and fouling resistance. The membrane includes a nanoporous polyethersulfone/polyethylene oxide-polysilsesquioxane blend support membrane with hydrophilic polymers inside the pores and a thin layer of cross-linked polyamide on the surface. This unique composite structure provides high performance for water treatment applications.

11. On-Demand Water Treatment System with Integrated Pre-Filtration, Carbon Block Filtration, Reverse Osmosis, and Chlorine Dosing

The Coca-Cola Company, 2019

An on-demand water treatment system provides safe, potable water from wells and municipal sources without needing storage tanks. The system includes pre-filtration, carbon block filtration, and reverse osmosis to remove contaminants. An automatic chlorine doser maintains disinfection. The absence of storage tanks reduces complexity and maintenance. The system can be powered by DC sources like solar panels for remote operation.

Request the PDF report with complete details of all 11 patents for offline reading.

Pathogen removal with reverse osmosis for clean drinking water is one of the surefire ways to get rid of the harmful pathogens contaminating water. Reverse osmosis technology filters out this contamination through a semipermeable membrane. This way, the person gets purified water without having to worry about diseases.