I. Advantages:
1. Performs
a separation without a phase change. Thus, the energy requirements are low.
2. Systems are compact, and space requirements are less than with other desalting systems, e.g. distillation.
3. Equipment is standardized - pumps, motors, valves, flowmeters, pressure gages, etc. Thus, the learning curve for unskilled labor is short.
4. Systems are fully automated and designed to start-up and shutdown automatically through interlocks. Thus, RO plants usually require little labor.
5. Due to their modular design, maintenance is easy. Scheduled maintenance can be performed without shutting down the entire plant.
6. The modular design also makes expansion an easy option.
2. Systems are compact, and space requirements are less than with other desalting systems, e.g. distillation.
3. Equipment is standardized - pumps, motors, valves, flowmeters, pressure gages, etc. Thus, the learning curve for unskilled labor is short.
4. Systems are fully automated and designed to start-up and shutdown automatically through interlocks. Thus, RO plants usually require little labor.
5. Due to their modular design, maintenance is easy. Scheduled maintenance can be performed without shutting down the entire plant.
6. The modular design also makes expansion an easy option.
II.
Disadvantages:
The applied pressure must exceed the osmotic
pressure to obtain product flow and to separate the solute from the solvent.
The maximum feed pressure for seawater devices varies from 800 -1000 psi, while
the limit for brackish water varies from 400 -600 psi. Due to the high-pressure
requirement (about 200 psi or more above the osmosis pressure) is usually not
applicable for concentrated solutions.
Because all membranes and devices are susceptible to fouling, the process usually cannot be applied without pretreatment.
Feed streams must be compatible with the membrane and other materials of construction used in the devices. If the feed stream contains incompatible compounds, these must be removed in pretreatment, or another compatible device and/or membrane must be considered.
Because all membranes and devices are susceptible to fouling, the process usually cannot be applied without pretreatment.
Feed streams must be compatible with the membrane and other materials of construction used in the devices. If the feed stream contains incompatible compounds, these must be removed in pretreatment, or another compatible device and/or membrane must be considered.
