Seawater Desalination by Ultralow-Energy Reverse Osmosis

Seawater Desalination by Ultralow-Energy Reverse Osmosis 

The success of these early membranes stimulated a great deal of additional research to optimize and improve the RO process. The stated goal of much of this research was to develop a cost-effective technology to desalt large volumes of seawater for human consumption. 

In the 1970s researchers such as Robert Riley at Fluid Systems Division of UOP Inc. and John Cadotte at Midwest Research Institute developed thin-film composite membranes using polymeric materials such as polyetherurea and polyamide. These thin films offered reduced resistance to the flow of water across the membrane layer and allowed production of drinking-quality permeate at a pressure of less than 70 bars and 35% recovery. At these operating parameters the energy requirement was lowered to approximately 6.6 kWh/m.  

Advanced Membrane Technology and Applications. Edited by Norman N. Li, Anthony G. Fane, W. S. Winston Ho, and T. Matsuuia Copyright 2008 John Wiley Sons, Inc. 

SEAWATER DESALINATION BY ULTRALOW-ENERGY REVERSE OSMOSIS 

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