Reverse Osmosis
Reverse osmosis (RO) membrane technology is used to produce water from a number of water sources. RO is a physical separation process in which source water is delivered at low to high pressures against a semi-permeable membrane. The water treatment membrane rejects most substances while allowing water to pass through. Operating pressures for RO range from 100 to 1000 psi.
Reverse osmosis systems have been successfully used to treat surface water, fresh and brackish ground water and seawater to achieve various water quality goals. In addition to the removal of dissolved ions, RO removes pesticides, and natural organic material, which can result in tastes, odors and color and can react with disinfectants to form disinfection by-products. Since the feed water has to pass through very small passages in the membrane element, particulate matter must be removed during a pretreatment phase.
A pilot study consisting of two distinct testing periods during two seasons of concern to evaluate membrane treatment systems versus the stated project goals was conducted. The pilot study, using our skid-mounted brackish-water RO unit, demonstrated that TOC and taste & odor water quality goals were met. Studies were also performed to evaluate treatment and recovery of the concentrate via several treatment processes (MIEX, coagulation, GAC, etc.).