Optimizing Reverse Osmosis Membrane and Filter Design
6 patents in this list
Updated:
Reverse osmosis membranes operate under demanding conditions, processing feed water with varying salinity levels (15,000-45,000 ppm TDS in seawater applications) while maintaining consistent flux rates and rejection performance. Over time, membrane surfaces accumulate organic and inorganic fouling layers that reduce efficiency and increase energy requirements, with flux declining by up to 30% in the first year of operation.
The fundamental challenge lies in developing membrane materials and structures that simultaneously maximize water flux, maintain high salt rejection, and resist fouling—three objectives that often work against each other at the molecular level.
This page brings together solutions from recent research—including antifouling surface coatings, composite membranes with enhanced hydrophilicity, quaternary ammonium-based antimicrobial layers, and novel operational control strategies. These and other approaches aim to extend membrane lifetime and reduce operational costs in large-scale desalination plants.
1. Reverse Osmosis Membranes with Protective Layer Comprising Polymer Composition for Enhanced Salt and Boron Rejection
LG CHEM, LTD., 2023
Reverse osmosis membranes for water purification with enhanced performance and fouling resistance. The membranes have a protective layer made from a composition containing a specific polymer material that improves salt and boron rejection while maintaining high flux. The composition includes a material with a specific chemical formula, molecular weight, optional hydrophilic polymers, and crosslinking agents.
2. 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.
3. Composite Reverse Osmosis Membrane with Acacia Gum-Enhanced Polyamide Structure
Qatar Foundation, 2021
Composite reverse osmosis membrane with improved properties for water desalination and purification. The membranes are made by interfacial polymerization using acacia gum as an additive. The acacia gum increases pore size, hydrophilicity, and surface charge and reduces roughness compared to pure polyamide membranes. This leads to higher membrane flux and reduced fouling while maintaining salt rejection. The composite membranes show improved performance and stability in filtration tests with seawater compared to commercial membranes.
4. Reverse Osmosis Membrane System Operation Using Aluminum and Iron Ion Concentration Analysis
KURITA WATER INDUSTRIES LTD., 2019
Managing operation of reverse osmosis membrane systems for treatment to inhibit scaling without pH adjustment or scale dispersants. The method involves measuring aluminum and iron ion concentrations in the feed and concentrate streams and using those values to determine optimal operation parameters.
5. Sequential Reverse Osmosis Membrane System with Decreasing Permeation Flux per Unit Pressure
ORGANO CORPORATION, 2019
A reverse osmosis membrane treatment method and system that improves water quality over multiple passes. The method involves using reverse osmosis membranes in sequence where the permeation flux per unit pressure in each subsequent membrane is lower than the previous one. This prevents water quality degradation compared to using membranes with equal or higher flux.
6. Reverse Osmosis Membrane System Control Method Using Aluminum and Iron Ion Monitoring
KURITA WATER INDUSTRIES LTD., 2019
A method for controlling reverse osmosis membrane systems to prevent silica scaling at low temperatures without chemicals. The method involves measuring aluminum and iron ions in the feed and concentrate and adjusting system parameters based on those levels. By maintaining the aluminum and iron concentrations below certain thresholds (e.g., 0.4 mg/L and 0.8 mg/L, respectively), scaling can be prevented without pH adjustment or scale inhibitors. This allows continuous, long-term RO operation at low temperatures without silica fouling.
Clean water cannot be filtered without reverse osmosis membrane systems. they use as little energy as possible to guarantee salt removal and smooth water flow. Because of this, scientists are always experimenting with these systems to improve water quality, reduce energy consumption, and lengthen filter life.
