The first decade of commercial reverse osmosis desalting 1968–1978

Desalination, 32(1980)6-12 0 ElsevierScientificPublishingCompany.Amsterdam-_PrintedinTheNetherlands

THE FIRST

DECADE

OF COMMERCIAL

P. V. FERGUSON,

President

AJAX

INTERNATIONAL

a subsidiary

first

usually

decade

is well

specific

1968-1978

& Marketing

CORPORATION

of Babcock

States

International

Inc.

of America

of any new discovery.

invention

or process

within a time frame suitable to determine if a invention or process has a usable commercial

discovery,

invention

future or if the discovery, a technical curiosity_ It has been osmosis

plants

beginning

now ten years were

by man

and cost-effective The phenomenon than

200 years,

Abbe

Nollet,

Osmosis principle, solution

since

introduced.

if this natural

reproduced

which

DESALTING

- Sales

Vice

United

The

OSMOSIS

REVERSE

There

and reversed

commencing

first were

is to remain

commercial many

of osmosis

to accomplish

desalination

as early

the

phenomenon

of osmosis

or process

reverse

doubts could

only

in the

be effectively

a technically

acceptable

process.

had been

with

observed

the efforts

and studied

of a French

for more

scientist

as 1748.

is a natural

process

which

occurs

in living

cells.

In

a semi-permeable membrane separates solutions from differing strengths. This imbalance is measured in osmotic pressure

forces

the membrane

the pure water until

molecules

the saline

Osmosis continues dilute. for the two solutions..

on the dilute

(or concentrate)

until

a state

side

solution

of equilibrium

to transit becomes

more

is reached

Interest in the osmosis process languished, except in the medical and photographic fields, until the early 1950's when aT; the University under Professor Reid, membrane work as it is known today Serious studies of Reverse Osmosis began in 1953 when the commenced. Office of Saline Water (OSW) of the U-S, Department of the Interior of Florida

undertook reverse

the sponsorship

osmosis

synthetic Reverse

technology

semi-permeable osmosis

of the

first

concerted

for desalination

investigation

applications

of

using

membranes.

is achieved

by applying 5

a pressure

greater

than

6

PERGUSON

the

inherent

osmotic

pressure

me*rane,

thus

molecules

in the concentrated

solution.

shifting UCLA

By 1960,

of the solution

the equilibrium, solution

scientists

to one

forcing to pass

side of a

some of the water

back

bad developed

into

the dilute

a modified

cellu-

lose acetate membrane with water permeability some 500 times greater than that of the early films whiLe still retaining a high degree of salt

rejection.

Building of higher

upon

this,

learning,

rudimentary

by 1967: spiral pilot

wound plants

were

During

frame

mostly

cellulose

permeator.

fine

acetate The

were

type.

first

were

type

fiber

which

the early

potential

devices

the tubular

devices

institutions

by 1965 bad developed wherein

to have

retaining

system,

the hollow

concept,

at other

industry,

and demonstrated

in the early

fine fiber

manufactured

scientists

configurations

of membrane

and

element

utilized

the hollow

with

types

the plate

membranes

and module

be tested

applications. The four main

research

as well. as private

equipment

ntembraxies could

UCLA

commercial

developed

units,

the

permeator.

The

incorporated The exception

into was

usable

fibers

were

from nylon.

this developmental

continued

involvement

period

the technical

and support

effort

of Government

increased

and private

The finanindustry principally in the United States at this time. cial and technical commitment from X.960 to 1967 just to attempt t0 launch

this new promising

Complete

volumes

this technology

have been

as well

of the Office

of Water

was dissolved.

From

States

have

While osmosis

this

type

technical

had strong

otherwise,

it appeared

backers

high

(OWRT) after

Governments in their

or research period

besides

in the history

chance

the OSW the United and

in their of reverse

at least*

to succeed

Reality

of

own universities

institutes

on the surface, hopes,

phase

the sponsorship

that

all.

as each

soon proved

to be

the actual

commercialj.sati_on of the reverse

it rapidly

became

element

and the hollow treatment

technoLogica1

other

had an equal with

under

as

process

configurations

efforts

began,

As soon

osmosis

for water

on the development

efforts

development

configurations

significant-

and Technology

by industry

formative

was evolving,

four plant

written

Research

efforts

was

as subsequent

1970 onward,

sponsored

funded private countries,

technology

fine

fiber permeator

applications,

soon were grounds

clear

relegated

to specialized

were

The plate mainly

that the Spiral

and

clearly frame

on economic

application

wound

superior

and tubular but also on

areas.

PEBGUSON

7

In the ten years commercially

that

available,

element

configurations

greater

than

to date.

99% of all reverse

The spiral

and operation requiring easily

less

today

wound

flexible

osmosis

than

as a process

facts,

pre-treatment fine

the hollow well

to remove

water

has been

fine

solids

and being Because

could

more of

are used

supplies

which

sold

permeator

permeators

or municipal

suspended

fiber

systems.

fiber

capacity

construction

equipment

fiber

fine

waters

treatment

is in its design,

the hollow

than the hollow

on clear

treated

osmosis

element

sophisticated

technical

mostly been

more

cleanable

these

reverse

the hollow fine fiber and the spiral wound have evolved into the position of capturing

which

plug

have

or foul

the

permeators. The spiral its design which causes

wound element incorporates a mesh spacer in turbulence within its channels, thus hinder-

ing material

on

deposition

element

can be operated

fouling

of hollow

membrane

the

O?I feedwater

fine

fiber

the spiral

wound

configuration

types

to be undertaken

fine

rations

fiber

utilized

and the hollow taken with

place, the

fiber.

A

their

packaging

in

housing

purchased

wound

element have

1960's,

fiber

permeator

(nylon)

fiber

to aromatic

supplier

1970's

For

dimensions

for the fiber

so that

a factory

in the originally

if any,

each

does

time with

not offer

permeator,

The spiral

replacement

elements

not have

this

wound

an

replacement pressure

to be discarded

of cartridge

elements

do not have

of the same diameter

for the

fine

fiber

the fiber

permeator shell.

their

housing

once

bundle This

and a new

the other type

of

since

one hollow

a new permeator;

type

as external)

aluminum

the housing

supplied

triacetate

the type

themselves

bundle.

of returning

as well

part,

early

polyamide

a cellulose

(internal

the most

cam?

in the market

appeared

offering

diameter

type.

the option

the housing

generally'does

early

and the package

replacing

housing

for

configu-

developments to late

persteator have changed little, the exception of a change from

bundle

needs

in

applications

fine

fiber

physical

fiber

offers

that

the

of larger

manufacturer

means

in the hollow fine

can be installed

rapid involved

osmosis

the spiral

in the mid

wound

be appropriate

reverse

introduction

polyamide

to a fiber glass

cause

water

not

the greatest

linear

utilized

waste

would

treatment,

hollow

hollow fine fiber introduction with

allow

which

permeator,

from

the polyamide

which

spiral

elements-

change

commercially

The

The hydraulics

Of the two main

in water

fiber

wound

also

second

(CTA) fiber over

since

spiral

in a switch place

today fine

greatest

The

systems.

supplies

permeators.

of certain hollow

surface,

supplier

replacement

this problem.

can be retrofitted

into

All

8

l?BxGusON

i&e

originally

supplied

the spiral

In

in the

l.ast ten years

variety Spiral

of membrane wound

acetate During

of

elements,

diameter

capable

elements

brackish the

and

and

inches

of

water

type

osmosis

with

cellulose

composite

of

4,

of

are

6,

the

long

8 and

2 inches

25 12

made

Line

inches

acetate

Of

in

pressureto

type

and

el.ements 2

course,

are still

60

Both

inches.

cellulose

lengths

were

from the initial

by

from

available,

various

membranes-

advancements

elements

that vary

evolved

great

study-

traditional or

occurred A

under

5 GPD at municipal

producing

elements

or

type,

1 foot

have

content.

significant

were

materials

in diameter

with

polyamide

diameters

changes

of membrane

obtained

reverse which

have

have

sea

polyamide

be

great

are available

3.963-1973, many

in the construction

long

in the area can

spiral. wound

inches

tubes,

field,

compositions,

the period

and

element

compositions

elements

membrane

Larger

pressure

wound

available

for special

usage. Salt rejection typical

plants

characteristics and

elements

below:

Spiral

Cellulose

95

Wound

Acetate 700

- 98%

Spiral

Wound

Polyamide

800

Fine

Fiber

90

Fine

Fiber

and

large

GPD

GPD

Permeators

Cellulose

systems

for medium

for

Elements

GPD

Tri-Acetate

4,000

osmosis

ratings

Elements

500 - 14,000

- 97%

The reverse

today

- 15,000

Polyamide

90 - 98% Hollow

capacity

- 15,000

Type

98 - 99%

Hollow

daily

available

penneators

are outlined

and

- 20,000

constructed

Permeators GPD

approximately

10 years

ago, 1967 - 1968, were primarily pilot test units or demonstrator plants to test the characteristics and suitability of the new reverse osmosis

elements

pre-commercial part

were

a dozen

all

under

elements

Capacities individually

and

permeators

basis.

The 10,000

project,

in the

Middle

East

to

GPD

operating

are as Large

Mohawk

12 MGD

US

were of

20 MGD

(Saudi per

are

site.

offered for

utilizing

individual

the

These

M3/day) reverse order

reverse

on

the

most

less

than

a

plant.

construction

Many on

being

plants

(352,000

Arizona)_

Arabia)

plant

per

or under

as 93 MGD

Yuma,

just

these

(38M3/day)

or a few permeators

of plants

Weldon

of

that

capacity

today (us Government

osmosis of

plants

magnitude

osmosis

SyStemS

FRRGUSON

9

contain many each plant,

thousands

As Of the present treatment awarded

capacity

of the

tkie order capacity

total

time,

instalLed

for land based

of 375 to 425 MGD.

impact

Estimated

of reverse

status

for the last

elements

worldwide

or for which

plants

sold or installed

growing

largest

or permeators

reverse

osmosis

contracts

have

within water

been

since 1970 are estimated to be on The following estimated breakdown of

per year osmosis

of stationary

is given

to indicate

in the desalting

land

field.

reverse

based

the

osmosis

systems

10 years, 1968 - 1978

Years

Capacity

in 1,000

1968 I.969

1,000

3,774

1970

3,700

13,962

1971

5,600

21,132

1972

9,250

34,906

1973

13,800

52,075

1974

25,000

94,340

1975

19,000

71,698

1976 1977

86,000 110,000

324.528 415,094

1978

140,000

528,301

10 year

The

estimates

above

Sea water

reverse areas.

10 MGD

capacity

are

for so-called plants

development

are

has been

M3/dayl

contracted

brackish

just

water

commencing

breakthroughs

At the present.time,

(38,000

l_,560,188

413,450

total

osmosis

on appropriate

hardware than

378

100

Estimated

based

M3/Day

US GPD

plZiDtS.

utilized

in the membrane

it is estimated

of sea water

type

to be

reverse

that

osmosis

and

less

plant

for worldwide.

The next decade most likely will continue to show dramatic Sea growth for the reverse osmosis process as water demand growswater desalination by reverse osmosis is now technically and commercially area

a viable

is still

treatment

alternative

in its infancy

by reverse

osmosis

to distillation, today was

as much

ten years

although as brackish ago-

this application water

FERGUSOH

10

THE NEXT

DECADE

While

this presentation

historical. information in reverse

osmosis

this method make

for the purpose

plant

capacity,

of desalination

comments

some

was originally the

leads

on what

conceived

to give

of showing

the dramatic

increasing

acceptance

one automatically

lies ahead

some growth

of

to attempt

to

for this now established

technology. The

field

of reverse

on the average decade,

This

membrane market

growth

development penetration

reverse

osmoSis

dissolved

will

acceptance

is expected

per year

(brackish)

growth

intensify

as well

areas

as

strong

as continued

prime

market

for

of low to medium

be dependent

in the area osmosis

upon

of membrane

stage

type equipment

to grow

the ~kext

waters.

rate will

or prototype

over

new application

in the area of desalination

of reverse

distillation

encompass

efforts

breakthroughs

the laboraTory

desalination

15 to 20 percent

into the now established

solids

The actual logical

osmosis

of about

as well

technonow

as the general

as a replacement

now primarily

certain

development process

in use

in

market

for the

for sea water

desalinationMany

studies

advantages

have

been

of reverse

conducted

osmosis

over

and papers

written

distillation

treatment,

and economic

must

reverse

There are both technical be recognized, however, by both

fabricators reverse

and clients

osmosis

brackish process

water

reverse water

ago.

and clients

osmosis

what

osmosis

for a given

membranes

of 99.3

to 99.8 percent

Other

AS a matter test basis

large

in the area available

foot/day)

areas

of waste

usable

desalination

process osmosis

today both

brackish

water

The

by

just

like

was not an established

ten years

made

It

plant

equipment treatment

same can be done

by

for.sea

decade. and elements

area of membrane

or square

on a limited

jointly

advantages.

osmosis

sea water

In the last

it is today.

gallons possible-

that

by reverse

in the coming

treatment

Reverse put

treatment

ten years

fabricators

alike

is not an established

on the

for sea water

volume

with

flux

- usually

of 15 to 20 GF2D with

(salt passage of fact,

Such

only

.7 to

elements

(water

measured salt

throughin

rejections

-2 percent

are available

axe today

from AJAX.

of reverse water

quantities

osmosis

treatment

market

and water

of treated

water

penetration recovery

decrease

will

be

systems

as

and disposal

Y?ExGuSON

I.1

costs increase. The

thin membrane

companies

enter

in each

area,

company

areas

areas.

complete

tration

crossover

the companies dialysis,

will

becomes

more

difficult

In conclusion,

also

the next

companies

the business.

enter

only

the largest

with

an area

them equipment with

needed

companies

look

with

in order

and vital

competition

Because

in the

emphasis

requirements for the future.

phase

necessary

from other

own penemembrane

areas. of strong

competition field,

growth

as more and

most

or expertise

to feel confident

field

their

fikely

and the smallesti companies

capability

on the next

separation

of the technical

field

sectors

and market

be ones

for the membrane

market

business

just

increase

will

required

ultrafiltration,

than

new market

on the others'

not occur.

and gas

of increased

to the total

the manufacturers

interesting

but also

of special

should

likely

costs

As more

technology

in microfiltration,

ten years

field

capital_ requirements

encroach

all membrane

most

to enter

in the membrane

Clients

into

as development

attempting

specialized.

each will

electro-dialysis to other markets

be looking

of expertise

companies

field

rather

Due to the specific

in the field will

Nevertheless, reverse osmosis, technology

is toaay

the membrane

special.ized market by each

market

of the

will firms

in embarking of this

survive. off@ring

jointly

extraordinarily

for the world's

water