Reverse Osmosis (RO) is a unique process of filtration that utilizes a semipermeable thin film composite membrane with perforations small enough to allow pure water to flow through while preventing larger molecules (i.e., dissolved salts/ions) to pass.
RO Applications for Industry
Industrial Reverse Osmosis Water Systems are typically used for:
boiler feed/makeup water
laboratories
manufacturing process water
chemical process water
pharmaceutics
photographic processing
printing
metal finishing
electronics
horticulture
vehicle washes
food and beverage processing
cosmetics
drinking water
humidification
ice making
cooling tower
desalination
Industrial Reverse Osmosis Water System Performance Factors
1. Pressure – in order to overcome the natural osmotic pressure, a minimum threshold of pressure must initially be reached. The rate at which the membrane produces product water (flux) increases as pressure is increased. A practical limit exists because salt rejection does not continually improve as pressure increases. There can be scaling or fouling problems as a result.
2. Temperature – membrane flux is heavily dependent on temperature. As temperature increases and pressure remains constant, water production increases. Higher temperatures can also result in an unfortunate drop-off in salt rejection due to an increase in diffusion rate for salt ions through the membrane. RO membranes are volume rated at 77°F.
3. Recovery – the percent of feed water converted to the product water. A functional limit exists for the recovery rate – too high of a rate requires a more concentrated waste stream. This increases the likelihood of membrane fouling as salt accumulates and creates scale on the membrane surface.
4. Pre-treatment/Post-treatment – additional water treatment steps needed either before or after the RO process vary, depending quality requirements and water conditions. If raw water contains iron, chlorine, turbidity, hardness and high total dissolved solids, then pre-treatment should be considered to improve system performance, extending membrane life. Post-treatment steps should be considered if water quality requirements require purified or sterilized water.
5. Recycle – the process of recycling waste water back through the RO to increase efficiency and reduce waste water, improving efficiency up to 75 percent.
Micro850 PLC - Intelligent Reverse Osmosis Systems
Features & Benefits
24V DC power supply requirement w/ optional 240V AC power adapter
4.3in LED full color touch display (480 x 272p) w/ four tactile function keys human machine interface (HMI) included for operator controllability (24 VDC)
7.0in & 10.4in LED touch displays (800 x 480p / 800 x 600p) w/ out tactile function keys available
Memory storage capability of up to 20,000 commands, can add multiple audible alarms, indicator lights for running status, faults, specific process commands etc. to compliment or modify base RO System function programming
Login/Logout access provided upon request from Excalibur if a sensor setpoint or input must be changed by the operator, otherwise settings are locked out for safety purposes
Display operating hours on HMI
Communication ports: USB 2.0 (non-isolated) RS232/RS485 non-isolated combo serial 10/100 Base T Ethernet port (RJ-45) - Unit can be connected to 3rd party devices and building management systems
Operational Temperature Range: -20° to 65°C (-4° to 149°F)
24 Input/Outputs (14 Input Channels/10 Output Channels) All Digital
8 Analog inputs enabled through plug-in modules to support pH sensors, conductivity sensors, flow sensors, tank level sensors relaying information to the unit and allowing it to display readings on the HMI
Low tank level detection automatically triggers system operation (if not already operating), high tank level detection triggers system standby
Fault detection program included for pH levels, Feed TDS levels, Permeate TDS levels, and high/ low pressure conditions. The Micro850 stops the system when these are detected and will attempt to return to operation 3 times before locking out and requiring a physical reset by the operator.
Manual bypass for pH, Feed/Permeate TDS, and high/low pressure sensors + faults included in program for troubleshooting/maintenance purposes
Inlet valve solenoid and motor control tied to Micro850 for safety; if any faults are detected the controller will shut these off.
Auto-flush built into program requiring no manual input from an operator
Visual operational status of motor, inlet valve, and bypass valve is viewable from the HMI along with TDS levels for both Feed and Permeate updating continuously every second on a digital graph
Inputs from sensors allow for volume recovery %, rejection %, concentration factor, and flux to be displayed on the HMI
What is Reverse Osmosis?
RO Applications for Industry
Industrial Reverse Osmosis Water System Performance Factors
2. Temperature – membrane flux is heavily dependent on temperature. As temperature increases and pressure remains constant, water production increases. Higher temperatures can also result in an unfortunate drop-off in salt rejection due to an increase in diffusion rate for salt ions through the membrane. RO membranes are volume rated at 77°F.
3. Recovery – the percent of feed water converted to the product water. A functional limit exists for the recovery rate – too high of a rate requires a more concentrated waste stream. This increases the likelihood of membrane fouling as salt accumulates and creates scale on the membrane surface.
4. Pre-treatment/Post-treatment – additional water treatment steps needed either before or after the RO process vary, depending quality requirements and water conditions. If raw water contains iron, chlorine, turbidity, hardness and high total dissolved solids, then pre-treatment should be considered to improve system performance, extending membrane life. Post-treatment steps should be considered if water quality requirements require purified or sterilized water.
5. Recycle – the process of recycling waste water back through the RO to increase efficiency and reduce waste water, improving efficiency up to 75 percent.
Micro850 PLC - Intelligent Reverse Osmosis Systems
Features & Benefits
Excalibur Intelligent Reverse Osmosis Systems
SFCP Series
SFINP Series