RO PLANT

Introduction:

Water is essential for life. The amount of fresh water on earth is limited, and with the
rapid industrialization, its quality is under constant pressure. Preserving the quality of
raw water is important not only for the drinking-water supply, but also for food
production and other water uses. Water quality can be compromised by the presence
of infectious agents, toxic chemicals, and radiological hazards.

Water quality deterioration in distribution systems is mainly caused by inappropriate

planning, design and construction or inadequate operation and maintenance and
water quality control. This has been linked to a significant proportion of the burden of
waterborne and water-related illness. Stresses on these systems caused by rapid
urbanization, population growth and aging infrastructure further exacerbates the
problems.

The integrity of well managed distribution systems is one of the most important
barriers that protect drinking-water from contamination. However, management of
distribution systems often receives little attention. Distribution systems can incorrectly
be viewed as passive systems with the only requirement being to transport drinking-
water from the outlets of treatment plants to consumers.

Hence it is the prime responsibility of Civil Engineering Department to arrange

adequate and safe supply of water of acceptable quality to Railway premises as well
Railway stations for the passengers.

MIT POLY.DHANORE
 RO PLANT

Reverse Osmosis (RO)

is a water purification technology that uses a semi-permeable membrane. This membrane
technology is not exactly a filtration method. In reverse osmosis, an applied pressure is
used to overcome osmotic pressure, a colligative property that is driven by chemical
potential which is a thermodynamic parameter. Reverse osmosis through a semi-
permeable membrane can remove many types of molecules and ions from solutions, and
is used in both industrial processes and the production of potable water

Reverse osmosis is most commonly known for its use in drinking water purification
from seawater and those areas where water contamination includes viruses and
chemicals like metal ions, lead, arsenic, fluoride, radium, sulfate, magnesium,
potassium, nitrate, fluoride and phosphorus.

MIT POLY.DHANORE
 RO PLANT

Working of RO (Reverse Osmosis) :

Reverse Osmosis works by using a high pressure pump to increase the pressure on
the salt side of the RO and force the water across the semi-permeable RO membrane,
leaving almost all (around 95% to 99%) of dissolved salts behind in the reject stream.
The amount of required pressure depends on the salt concentration of the feed water.
The more concentrated the feed water, the more pressure is required to overcome the
osmotic pressure.

The desalinated water that is de-mineralized or de-ionized, is called permeate (or

product) water. The water stream that carries the concentrated contaminants that did
not pass through the RO membrane is called the reject (or concentrate) stream. From
the data collected from Reverse Osmosis System manufacturers, normally 40-60%
water is rejected during the Reverse Osmosis process.

Reverse Osmosis membrane has a tight pore structure (less than 0.0001 micron) that
effectively removes up to 99% of all contaminants and impurities such as total
dissolved solids, chemicals, bacteria and viruses from drinking water. Anti-microbial
filters used in Reverse Osmosis also help to remove unwanted odors, colors and
tastes from water.

Reverse Osmosis Systems have a very high effectiveness in removing protozoa,

bacteria and viruses in comparison to other systems. Reverse Osmosis Systems can
also remove common chemical contaminants (metal ions, aqueous salts), including
MIT POLY.DHANORE
RO PLANT

sodium, chloride, copper, chromium, lead and can reduce arsenic, fluoride, radium,
sulfate, calcium, magnesium, potassium, nitrate, and phosphorous.

Reverse Osmosis is capable of removing up to 99%+ of the dissolved salts (ions),

particles, colloids, organics, bacteria and pyrogens/pathogens from the feed water
(although an RO system should not be relied upon to remove 100% of bacteria and
viruses). Reverse osmosis removes impurities by two distinct mechanisms. One is
based on resistance to passage of ions, due to their electrical charge. This
mechanism is responsible for removal of ionic impurities. Even the smallest molecules
are rejected if they have ionic charge. The efficiency of removal by this mechanism is
in the range of 9699%, but this depends on the particular membrane and the ionic
charge. The other mechanism of impurity removal is based on the ultrafiltration effect,
in which the small pores of the reverse osmosis membranes act like molecular filters.
The cut-off molecular size is approximately 14-20 nanometers. Any impurity whose
molecular size is above the cut-off point will be rejected almost completely. Any
impurity whose molecular size is below the cut-off point will pass through almost
totally. Few organics have molecular size below 14-20 nanometers. Examples are:
methanol, formaldehyde, formic acid, and ethanol.
Since RO membrane rejects contaminants based on their size and charge, many
gases like carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, methane, and ethane that are not ionized
(charged) also have very low molecular weight will pass through reverse osmosis.
Any contaminant that has a molecular weight greater than 200 is likely rejected by a
properly running RO system. Because an RO system does not remove gases, the
permeate water can have a slightly lower pH level depending on CO2 levels in the
feed water as the CO2 is converted to carbonic acid. Some pesticides, solvents and
volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) are also not removed by RO.

MIT POLY.DHANORE
RO PLANT

SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM OF RO PLANT :

MIT POLY.DHANORE
 RO PLANT

Main Components of Reverse Osmosis System :

1) Dual Media Filter:

This removes the total suspended solids, dirt, iron and reduce silt. The raw water from
the source is taken to Dual Media Filter (DMF) where all the suspended solids are
removed with the help of filter bed. The filter require backwash when differential
pressure goes above 0.5Kg/cm2 or when it stops giving desired output or after pre-
decided time interval.

2) Activated Carbon Filter:

Filtered water from dual media filter is fed to activated carbon filter in order to remove
free chlorine, organic compounds, colour and smells. The filter require backwash
when differential pressure goes above 0.5Kg/cm 2 or when it stops giving desired
output or after pre-decided time interval.

3) Anti-scalant Dosing System:

The commonly used reverse osmosis (RO) membranes consist of a polyamide salt-
rejecting film on a poly-sulphone base. The very thin surface layer of polyamide (up
to 3 µm) provides the semi-permeable and salt-rejecting properties to the membrane.
RO systems create salt concentrated water streams on rejection sides that could
produce scale or fouling on the membrane. This may lead to blocking of the flow
channels in the membrane. The anti-scalant chemical is added online to protect the
membrane from scaling/ fouling formation.

4) Reverse Osmosis Membrane:

Reverse Osmosis is the tightest possible membrane process in liquid/ liquid

separation. In principle, water should be the only material passing through the
membrane and essentially all dissolved and suspended material is rejected. The
Reverse Osmosis Membrane is the heart of the system. The most commonly used is
a spiral wound of which there are two options: the CTA (cellulose tri-acetate), which

MIT POLY.DHANORE
 RO PLANT

is chlorine tolerant but of lower service life, and the TFC (thin film composite/material),
which is not chlorine tolerant but higher service life.

Advanced reverse osmosis technology uses "cross flow" that allows a partially
permeable membrane to clean itself continuously. As some of the fluid passes
through the membrane, the rest continues downstream, sweeping the rejected
species away from it. The process requires a pump to push the fluid through the
membrane. The higher the pressure, the larger the driving forces.

As concentration of the fluid being rejected increases, so does the driving force.
Reverse osmosis is used to reject bacteria, salts, sugars, proteins, particles, dyes,
and other constituents. Separation of ions with reverse osmosis is aided by charged
particles. This means that dissolved ions that carry a charge, such as salts, are more
likely to be rejected by the membrane .The larger the charge and the particle; the
more likely it will be rejected.

5) Ultraviolet System:

Sunlight has long since been known to kill micro-organisms. The rays from the sun
contain the UV spectrum which is being used in Ultraviolet Water Treatment Systems
– although at much lower intensities. It is also referred to as the Germicidal
Spectrum/frequency. The frequency used in killing micro-organisms is 254
nanometers (nm). The UV lamps used for this purpose are designed specifically to
have the highest amount of UV energy at this frequency.

6) Specification of Reverse Osmosis (RO) Plant:

The technical specification of Reverse Osmosis (RO) Plant can generally be as under or
as decided by tendering authority.

MIT POLY.DHANORE
 RO PLANT

General features:

i) The system shall be completely assembled, pre-piped, pre-wired and preferably skid
mounted.
ii) The system shall have microprocessor based control panel for ease of operation and
inbuilt process logic.
iii) The system shall have auto start/ stop based on water level in the supply tank.
iv) The system shall be equipped with Electrical panel/ MCB for plant protection and shall
have integrated raw water pump with the unit.
v) The system shall have integrated pretreatment modules for removal of suspended
solids along with pressure gauge.
vi) The system shall have inbuilt protection to high pressure pump by way of low/high
pressure switch.
vii) The system shall have the membrane of General Electric (GE) or Hydranutics make.
Glycerin filled Stainless Steel pressure gauge shall be provided for durability. Online
rotameter shall be provided for measuring flow. Blending cartridge shall be provided
to adjust taste/TDS and followed by UV disinfection for total safety. System should
have automatic backwashing of filters.
viii) The system shall be capable of working 24hrs.x365 days by using the semi treated
water provided through Borewell / Municipal water supply.
ix) Recovery of water (i.e. component of treated water) shall be in range of 40%-60%. If
desired, the waste/ rejected water may be separately stored by using suitable pump.
This water may be used for cleaning, gardening or toilet purpose.

MIT POLY.DHANORE
 RO PLANT

RO Membrane Cleaning:

RO membranes will inevitably require periodic cleaning, anywhere from 1 to 3 times

a year depending on the feed water quality. As a general rule, if the normalized
permeate flow has decreased by 15% then it is time to clean the RO membranes.
There are several different membrane cleaning methods, such as forward flush,
backward flush and air flush. Chemicals may also be added in order to aid flushing.
water or permeate flows through the system more rapidly than during the production
phase. Because of the more rapid flow and the resulting turbulence,

particles that are absorbed to the

membrane are released and discharged. The particles that are absorbed to
membrane pores are however not released. These particles can only be removed
through backward flushing.

Backward Flush
Backward Flush is a reversed filtration process. Permeate is flushed through the feed
water side of the system under pressure. When backward flush is applied the pores
of a membrane are flushed inside out. The pressure on the permeate side of the
membrane is higher than the pressure within the membranes, causing the pores to
be cleaned.

Air Flush or Air/Water Flush

MIT POLY.DHANORE
 RO PLANT

A newer cleaning method is the so-called air flush or air/ water flush. This is a forward
flush during which air is injected in the supplier pipe. Because air is used, causing air
bubbles to form, which cause a higher turbulence. Because of this turbulence the
fouling is removed from the membrane surface.

Chemical Cleaning

During a chemical cleaning process, membranes are soaked with a solution of

chlorine bleach, hydrochloric acid or hydrogen peroxide. First the solution soaks into
the membranes for few minutes and after that a forward flush or backward flush is
applied, causing the contaminants to be rinsed out. RO membrane cleaning involves
low and high pH cleaners to remove contaminants from the membrane. Scaling is
addressed with low pH cleaners and organics, colloidal and bio-fouling are treated
with a high pH cleaner. Cleaning RO membranes is not only about using the
appropriate chemicals. There are many other factors involved such as flows, water
temperature and quality. Hence properly designed cleaning skids and an experienced
service group must be ensured for proper cleaning of RO membranes.

Maintenance of Reverse Osmosis (RO) Plant :

Besides periodical cleaning of RO membrane, the maintenance and servicing of the

Reverse Osmosis (RO) Plant shall consisting of following:

1. Micron Filter should be replaced during every servicing.

2. Cleaning of Sand filter.
3. Cleaning of Activated Carbon Filter
4. Anti scaling dosing chemical (As per requirement)
5. Raw water pump (Checking/servicing, if required)
6. R.O. Membrane (Checking/ Replacement, if required)
7. High pressure pump (Checking/servicing, if required)
8. Checking of flow rate of membrane & TDS on site

MIT POLY.DHANORE
RO PLANT

Conclusion

Performance of reverse osmosis plant is evaluated and calculated on different

operational parameters by putting them under keen observation and derived that
how productivity of the plant is maintained to get better results. Treatment
techniques are explicitly discussed, implemented and suggested accordingly in these
steps. Graphical representation depicts the changing behavior of parameters and
ultimately productivity. Utilization of the rejected water is applied and advised
according to one’s feasibility. Analyzed the whole process for the economic
evaluation especially concentrating on the reject water stream with various tactics
and methods to get the maximum outcome in the recovery of water.

MIT POLY.DHANORE