Patent · US Active

Low energy reverse osmosis process

US8980100B2 · kind B2 · utility

25Cited by
2References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateApr 23, 2013
Grant dateMar 17, 2015
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 23, 2033

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02W10/30
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

We provide a system and method for reverse osmosis treatment of water, including seawater and brackish water. Methods and systems of embodiments of the invention may include, for example, ultrafiltration followed by biofoulant removal, both of which precede reverse osmosis. In preferred embodiments the system is run at a low flux. For example, a flux of 6-8 GFD may be used with seawater. Additional embodiments may provide the above process in conjunction with a reverse-osmosis membrane cleaning system. The membrane cleaning system is a “clean in place” system that includes use of the natural pressure differential in the reverse osmosis system to remove biofoulants and their precursors.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.