Testing of GrahamTek 16-inch RO Membrane

GrahamTek – a Singapore owned Technology Company – has designed and developed a large size 16-inch diameter RO membrane element that is being pilot tested concurrently with NEWater’s existing 8-inch membranes. GrahamTek’s 16-inch Technology is the first in the world and consists of two unique patented designs: a Flow Distributor in front of the membrane element that moderates the flow dynamic of the feedwater, and an Electromagnetic Device within the pressure vessels to retard fouling and scaling.

Pilot Testing

PUB in collaboration with GrahamTek set up a 700 m3 per day Pilot Plant at the Bedok NeWater Factory in August 2004. The objective was to compare the performance of GrahamTek’s 16-inch RO membranes with PUB’s existing 8-inch RO membranes. The pilot testing achieved stable operation over 18 months. To date, the performance of the membranes has been satisfactory in terms of conductivity and TOC. TOC values of the permeate is comparable with that of NEWater. Data from the Pilot Plant at NEWater also consistently shows that GrahamTek’s 16-inch membranes produce flux rates double that of traditional 8-inch membranes. This translates into significant reductions in equipment cost and footprint.

Commercial Large Scale Application

Following the successful pilot testing, GrahamTek's 16-inch RO membranes are being used in the 55,000m3 Bedok NEWater expansion.

Disclaimer: Research collaboration with PUB shall not be construed as PUB’s endorsement of the Company’s technologies.