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Reverse Osmosis
Description
- Use pressure to push water molecules from a wastewater solution through a semi-permeable membrane. Results in two streams: (1) water concentrated with chemicals (2) fairly pure water
- See a presentation about the how reverse osmosis works (link)
Advantages
- Consumes little energy
- Operates at ambient temperatures
- The clean water (permeate) may be pure enough to reuse for rinse water
- Generally has a low initial and operating costs, compared to other technologies
- Recover process chemicals for plating bath
- May not be possible, depending on process and concentration levels
- Contaminates will not be removed
Limitations
- Membrane can be fouled by suspended solids
- Membranes typically have a short life-span
- System operates at a high pressure
- Concentrated stream typically is not concentrated enough to return to the process bath
- Impurities are not purged from the system
Implementation Process
- Determine cost effectiveness in your process
- Purchase and install equipment
- Develop maintenance schedule
- Train employees for use and maintenance
Resources
- National Metal Finishing Strategic Goals Program
- Metal Finishing, 67th Guide book and Directory Issue, January 1999, Volume 97, Number 1, 660.
Vendors
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