Reverse Osmosis systems center around membrane technology, which allows water purification systems to remove dissolved and suspended solids from the water without the use of chemical additives, and with a low energy cost. Specifically, RO systems use semipermeable membranes, which allow water molecules to flow freely while catching molecules that are too large to pass through the membrane pores. Semipermeable RO membranes can effectively remove salt, minerals, chloramines, nitrates, heavy metals, and even bacteria and viruses using this size-selective membrane technology.
WHAT’S IN AN RO MEMBRANE?
Many of today’s RO membranes consist of a three-layer composite, featuring a polyester support web that provides structure, a microporous polysulfone inner layer where a majority of selective pores are found, and a thick polyamide barrier layer that holds up to mechanical wear and high pressure.
Polyamide materials are favored because of their high chemical stability, allowing them to perform at higher volume for longer periods of time before wear and tear requires replacement. Using different polymer types gives manufacturers the freedom to design membranes with specific selectivity, ideal for specialty water processing, or for brackish and seawater-specific membranes.
MEMBRANE PERFORMANCE
When choosing replacement membranes for an RO system, look for membranes that boast high performance in terms of microbiological resistance, salt rejection, and flux. The specifics needed for each application vary depending on the quality of the raw source water, but most membranes currently on the market can operate within pH ranges of 2 to 11, and at temperatures up to 113 degrees Fahrenheit. This wide range of operating parameters ensures reliable performance despite changing conditions.
In addition to these parameters, it’s important to consider water permeability and solute permeability as factors that affect membrane performance. Generally, the ideal membrane offers zero percent salt permeability, and extremely high water permeability (as close to 100 percent as possible). For specific operations, such as agriculture, it may be necessary to look at specific solute permeabilities; such as a pesticide permeability of zero percent and a calcium ion permeability of 50 percent.
The chemical composition and physical structure of an RO membrane play a large role in its performance when it comes to water processing. If you have questions about which membrane is right for your system, contact HAR Wassertec today.
- All the leading Membrane brands like DOW, Hydranautics, Toray, Burton, CSM and Vontron is ready stock at best competitive price is available
- Membrane comes with manufacturer warranty
- Backed by Technology from USA
- Membrane marked with factory tested data
- Base material sourced from reputed vendors