Testbedding of Dow 16-inch RO at Bedok NEWater Factory
The Dow Chemical Company is conducting a side-by-side evaluation of FILMTEC™ 8-inch and 16-inch modules at Bedok NWF. The pilot plant was commissioned on October 8, 2007, and has been in continuous operation since then. The pilot plant is run at flux rate of about 18 L/m2-h and recovery of 75%, conditions comparable to the NEWater 8-inch RO system. Interim results show that Dow’s 16-inch RO treated water quality is comparable to or better than NEWater.
The Dow trial at Bedok NWF compares directly the performance of 8-inch and 16-inch membrane modules. The pilot plant contains parallel 8- and 16-inch systems. The system configurations are identical, using standard 2 by 1 arrays of seven-module pressure vessels. The permeate flux and recovery conform to industry norms and are made equal for the two systems through computer-controlled operation.
The 16-inch FILMTEC™ modules in operation at Bedok NWF have demonstrated 4.3 times the membrane area and productivity of standard 8-inch modules, with no degradation in permeate quality, no increase in specific power consumption, and no difference in cleaning regimen. The results validate the considerable economies of scale made possible by the 16-inch format.
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Figure 1: Dow FILMTEC™ 16-inch by 40-inch reverse osmosis membrane modules have more than four times the active membrane area of standard 8-inch modules.
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Figure 2: The Dow FILMTEC™ 16-inch vessel adapter shown here promotes energy efficiency by reducing the flow restriction on the membrane permeate.
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Figure 3: This module loading tool, for use with Dow FILMTEC? membranes, has motor-driven module insertion and extraction for improved safety and efficiency.
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Figure 4: To simplify operation and infrastructure, the module loading tool is supported and aligned solely by attachment to the pressure vessel.
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Figure 5: The Dow FILMTEC™ pilot facility at Bedok NWF has side-by-side testing capability for standard arrays of 8-inch and 16-inch membrane modules. The data is logged continuously and monitored remotely.
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Disclaimer: Research collaboration with PUB shall not be construed as PUB’s endorsement of the Company’s technologies. |