A Reverse Osmosis (RO) membrane is a semi-permeable, spiral-wound filtration element that removes dissolved salts, impurities, and contaminants from water using pressure-driven separation. It is the core component of an RO system and plays a critical role in producing high-purity water for residential, commercial, and industrial applications.
| Type | Description | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| 4040 (4″ × 40″) | Small commercial/industrial systems | Car washes, clinics, labs |
| 8040 (8″ × 40″) | Large-scale systems | Water plants, bottling, food processing |
| 1812 / 3012 | Compact residential sizes | Home RO units |
| BWRO Membrane | For brackish water | Industrial & municipal use |
| SWRO Membrane | For seawater (high pressure) | Desalination plants |
Key Features:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Material | Typically made of thin-film composite (TFC or TFM) polyamide |
| Micron Rating | ~0.0001 micron (removes particles much smaller than bacteria) |
| Salt Rejection | 95–99.8% depending on membrane type and water chemistry |
| Design | Spiral-wound configuration with permeate and brine spacers |
| Operating Pressure | 50–1200 PSI (varies by type: brackish vs seawater) |
Benefits:
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Produces high-purity water (TDS reduction up to 99%)
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Reduces chemical use in water treatment
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Removes bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, nitrates, etc.
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Long service life with proper pretreatment and maintenance
Maintenance & Replacement:
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Membranes typically last 2–5 years
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Require pretreatment (e.g., antiscalant, filters, softeners) to prevent fouling
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Periodic chemical cleaning (CIP) extends membrane life
Applications:
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Drinking water purification
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Food & beverage industry
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Pharmaceutical manufacturing
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Power plants & boilers
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Seawater desalination
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Dialysis & ultrapure labs
Industrial Water Plant
