Reverse Osmosis Performance Parameters

This study explores the compaction behavior of thin-film composite reverse osmosis (TFC RO) membranes for different combinations transmembrane pressure (TMP) and water flux. Operating a crossflow system at constant feed (60 bar) but solution osmotic pressures enabled adjusting TMP─the difference between hydraulic pressure─and The extent membrane increases as TMP (and flux) increases. Both commercial hand-cast TFC RO showed substantial high (up to 30% 50 bar TMP) compared less than 10% 10 TMP. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images reveal direct relationship polysulfone (PSU) support layer compaction, while molecular dynamics (MD) simulations confirmed decreased porosity reduced thickness in polyamide (PA) active Combined findings from wet-testing MD confirm drop occurs across both PA meso-to-macro-porous layer; higher exacerbates layers resulting lower permeability flux, observed salt rejection, permeability. Transitioning low or vice versa did not notably alter compaction. observation is attributed highly cross-linked layer's ability recover after released, whereas PSU largel... Read More

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Fluid purification system with multiple cells interconnected by a valving network, where each cell has a purification element like a membrane. The controller regenerates cells one by one in reverse flow while simultaneously purifying through the other cells in forward flow. This allows continuous purification without interruption by swapping regenerated cells into the series. The controller rearranges cells between regenerations to balance loading.

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Membrane-based water filtration system for producing drinking water from various sources while avoiding post-mineralization steps. The system uses multiple membrane units with different membrane types in parallel. Initially, units with nanofiltration membranes are run first to remove pollutants and partially soften the water. Then, as the calcium level increases, units with reverse osmosis or low-pressure reverse osmosis membranes are switched to the front to further soften the water. This allows producing drinking water without needing post-mineralization steps, while still reducing hardness and pollutants. The membrane units are sequenced based on calcium levels to maintain target hardness.

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Membrane biofouling is one of the most persistent challenges faced by desalination plants, particularly those utilizing reverse osmosis (RO) technology. Addressing this issue crucial to reduce maintenance costs, improve efficiency, and extend lifespan membranes. This study introduces SpectroMarine, an advanced optical water quality sensor that provides real-time data on organic content biomass levels, enabling operators take proactive measures for key parameters such as chlorophyll, total carbon oxidization agent prevent biofouling. The combines fluorescence absorption spectroscopy with Internet Things (IoT) integration, offering immediate analytics actionable insights. Field tests demonstrated significant potential reducing operational energy consumption, optimizing chemical use according quality, ultimately enhancing plant performance. paper discusses sensor’s design, application, outcomes, providing a roadmap revolutionizing monitoring in plants.

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Flow distributor for batch and semi-batch hyperfiltration systems like reverse osmosis (RO) or nanofiltration (NF) to improve brine displacement during flushing cycles. The distributor is placed upstream of the empty space in the pressure vessel. It has a coefficient of variation for velocity profile downstream of less than 0.1. This provides even flow distribution across the cross-section perpendicular to the flow direction. It prevents stagnant areas and improves brine displacement during flushing, reducing salt concentration, mineral scaling, energy consumption, and allowing higher recovery.

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Optimizing reverse osmosis water desalination systems using machine learning to reduce operating costs and improve performance by predicting when to clean the membranes. The system measures parameters like feed pressure, flow, salinity, temperature, etc. and uses a trained ML model to determine fouling levels and optimize flow rates through the stages. This allows reducing energy use while maintaining permeate production. By predicting when fouling will inflect and decline, cleaning can be timed to minimize energy vs waiting for a 10% flux drop. The ML model also balances flow across stages for energy savings.

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Biocide compositions and methods for maintaining, cleaning, and defouling reverse osmosis membranes using a stabilized hypochlorous acid solution containing a bromide ion source. The stabilized hypochlorous acid solution forms small amounts of bromine in situ that effectively control biofouling without harming sensitive membranes. The biocide composition can be used as an online biocide to prevent fouling in reverse osmosis systems, as well as for offline cleaning of fouled membranes.

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ABSTRACT This article presents a model-predictive controller (MPC) for the maximization of energy efficiency closed-circuit desalination reverse osmosis (CCRO) system. CCRO is process producing drinking water that based on cyclic operation with following two phases: (a) filtration and (b) drain. In this article, we test model predictive control optimal process. The most important features our approach are as follows: selection structure enables reliable forecasts phase (up to 3 h), an on-line calibration strategy ensures forecast reliability, (c) satisfaction equipment safety operational constraints selected setpoints. We challenge through deliberate introduction changes in unmeasured feed concentration applied constraints. Our results indicate frequent parameter updates critical maintain reliability MPC purposes. addition, illustrate identifiability not guaranteed variation flow rates necessary even though never operates steady state. Finally, can compute rate setpoints maximize while satisfying applicable

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Reverse osmosis system with optimized energy consumption for water treatment applications like desalination or wastewater reclamation. The system uses a chain of membrane units connected in sequence. Each membrane unit has an inlet, outlet, and concentrate outlet. The concentrate outlet of a unit feeds into the inlet of the next unit. The final unit's concentrate outlet connects to a hydraulic motor. This motor is connected to an electric generator. The generator can drive a pump upstream of a membrane unit to boost feed pressure. This recycles concentrate energy to drive the system. It eliminates wasteful high-pressure feed pumps. The motor can be variable frequency to adapt to changing conditions. Sensors on the axial piston machines monitor flow and pressure.

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Reverse osmosis filter system that improves efficiency and longevity compared to conventional RO filters. The system uses additional components like pre-filters, turbines, and end cap filters to more effectively remove impurities and prevent clogging. The components are arranged inside the filter housing in a specific order. This configuration allows larger impurities to be trapped and separated out before reaching the RO membrane, reducing membrane fouling. The turbine component generates fluid flow to help flush out impurities. The end cap filter catches any remaining particles before exiting the system.

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Membranes for water filtration like reverse osmosis or forward osmosis that have improved water flux without sacrificing solute rejection. The membranes are prepared by interfacial polymerization using a pore-forming agent like triflouropropyl trichloro silane (TFPTCS) in addition to the traditional polyfunctional amine and acyl halide monomers. The pore-forming agent helps to increase the water flux through the membrane. The membranes can also contain vesicles with aquaporin water channels incorporated into them, which further boosts water flux. The vesicles are immobilized in the membrane during the polymerization process.

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Off-grid desalination system that uses a tidal turbine to directly drive a centrifugal reverse osmosis (CRO) module without any electrical conversion. The CRO module separates salt water into fresh water by spinning it at increasing pressure levels due to centrifugal force. The tidal turbine provides the rotational power, and the CRO is mechanically connected to the turbine. This allows desalination without relying on grid electricity or energy storage. The CRO can also pressurize the feed water to a lower level using a pump driven by the turbine.

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Water treatment method and apparatus to prevent biofouling of reverse osmosis (RO) membranes without harming the membranes. The method involves intermittently adding biocides to the water feed to the RO membrane. The biocide dose and frequency are adjusted based on membrane fouling levels. This prevents excessive biocide concentrations that can harm the membrane. The biocide addition is tuned to keep oxidation potential below a threshold without exceeding it. This prevents biocide-induced membrane fouling while still providing adequate biocide dosing to prevent organic growth.

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Access to clean and potable water is a growing global concern, particularly in coastal arid regions where freshwater sources are scarce. Traditional desalination tech- niques, such as thermal distillation conventional reverse osmosis, rely heavily on fossil fuel-based energy sources, leading high operational costs significant environmental impacts, including greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, these systems often require complex infrastructure, making them inaccessible remote off-grid communities. To address challenges, this research presents novel solar-powered machine that integrates Reverse Osmosis (RO) Ultraviolet (UV) purification technologies. The proposed system harnesses solar power high-pressure pumps, eliminating dependency non-renewable sources. RO unit effectively removes dissolved salts contaminants, while the UV stage ensures microbial disinfection, delivering high-quality drinking water. By utilizing renewable energy, significantly reduces minimizes carbon emissions, mak- ing it an environmentally sustainable economically viable solution. impact of extends enhancin... Read More

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Osmotic membrane separation system with feed and draw recirculation loops in each module to improve efficiency and prevent fouling. The system has a series of osmosis modules where feed and draw solutions are circulated co-currently through each module. Feed recirculation loops connect feed inlet to outlet of each module. Draw recirculation loops connect draw inlet to outlet. This allows controlled flow rates, solute concentrations, and hydrostatic pressures in each loop. The bulk feed and draw streams flow counter-currently through the system as a whole. The recirculation loops prevent boundary layer buildup and fouling. They also allow mixing of partially concentrated streams to reduce driving force and enhance membrane efficiency.

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Filter leaf for reverse osmosis filters with raised features on the membrane surface that enhance filtration performance and cleaning efficiency. The raised features are formed directly on the membrane using printing or embossing techniques. The feature configuration optimizes flow characteristics during normal filtration and reverse flushing. During filtration, the features induce higher velocities to resist fouling. During flushing, they induce higher velocities for scouring. This eliminates the need for cleaning chemicals and allows using reverse flow for cleaning.

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Monitoring a fluid and controlling a process in a membrane filtration plant to optimize cleaning and flushing procedures. The system uses sensors to measure characteristics of the feed, permeate, and retentate streams. By comparing these measurements, it determines if the cleaning has reached a target level. If so, it stops the flush to save fluid and avoid overcleaning. This prevents waste of expensive cleaning fluids while ensuring adequate cleaning. The system can also stop flushing if the time limit is reached. This prevents infinite flushing due to sensor errors.

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Intelligent monitoring and control system for reverse osmosis water treatment systems that improves accuracy, speed, and reliability compared to manual monitoring. The system uses sensors before and after each filter stage, as well as chlorine sensors and flow meters, to provide real-time data on water quality and flow rates. This data is analyzed by a controller to optimize dosing of chemicals, detect issues like filter blockage, and provide early warning of problems. The system also has a communication module to transmit data and alerts.

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Reverse osmosis membrane concentration rate control system for power plants that automatically adjusts the membrane concentration rate without manual intervention. It uses sensors to monitor parameters like water quality, flow, temperature, pressure, and concentration. A control module compares these values to predefined thresholds and triggers actions like opening/closing valves to optimize concentration, prevent fouling, and mitigate risks like organic pollution. This provides stable, efficient, and automated membrane concentration without manual sampling or control.

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Predicting membrane maintenance and replacement dates for water treatment systems using artificial intelligence. The method involves calculating standardized operating indicators for membranes based on normalized measurements. It learns regression models for each indicator using historical data. The normalized indicators are used to predict membrane aging and fouling. This allows generating alerts when membranes need cleaning or replacement without reconfiguring the models for different membrane types or architectures. The normalized indicators are calculated from measured variables like pressure, flow rate, salt passage, and temperature.

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