Membranes for use in thermal concentration processes
OSMO Membrane Systems GmbH (OSMO) has succeeded in modifying spiral wound reverse osmosis technology to reach operation pressures up to 120bar (1700psi). Using such high-pressure reverse osmosis plants, high concentrations of salts and organic molecules can be obtained and thereby downstream thermal systems can be improved significantly in capacity and energy consumption.Conventionally driven high-pressure reverse osmosis plants for desalination are working on pressures of 80bar (1150psi) max. The company from succeeded in modifying their spiral wound elements in a way, that an operation pressure up to 120bar (1700psi) can be reached. By using the OSMO high- pressure reverse osmosis the obtainable concentration combined with a downstream evaporation is much more economical regarding investment and operation costs compared to a single evaporator.
The high-pressure reverse osmosis consumes about 10 times less energy than a comparable evaporation step. Additionally, the capacity of an existing evaporation plant can be increased enormously by a high-pressure reverse osmosis plant.
For testing this concept with liquids, where no experience exists, laboratory and pilot plants are available at OSMO.
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OSMO Membrane Systems GmbH, is based in Korntal-Münchingen, Germany. www.osmo-membrane.de
