Prediction Method for the Life of Reverse-Osmosis Membranes
Haruhiko Ohya, Yoshio Negishi, Kenjiro Kamoto, K. MATSUI, H. INOUE · ACS symposium series · 1981
Economics of reverse osmosis depends mainly on membrane life. If membrane can be in service over a long period, the depreciation cost of membrane per unit permeate becomes smaller. When we are planning to treat any aqueous solution by reverse osmosis, the treatment cost may be estimated assuming membrane life and others. At present, long term operation of pilot plant is nescessary to make accurate estimation. Because we don't have any good and accurate method to estimate membrane life at higher pressure range, sea water desalination in particular and in the case of treating water containing materials which may deteriorate membranes, except to treat well pretreated feed at medium pressure range. These facts shift cost estimation to much safer side, resulting into over-investment, which may reduce the advantage of reverse osmosis process over other processes. For the further prosper of reverse osmosis, we definetely need more accurate and easier method