This paper presents a discussion of two main approaches for selecting a nanofiltration (NF) or reverse osmosis (RO)
technology and a method for cost comparison over a full life cycle. The first approach is
to use NF membranes, which operate at low feed pressure, but provide less contaminant
rejection. Using this approach, the degree to which blending can be used is limited and
overall horsepower required for treatment remains high. The second approach is to use
RO membranes, which operate at high pressure, but provide high contaminant rejection,
and therefore reduce the volume of treated water required to produce a specified blended
finished water quality. This paper shows that RO in certain cases may be more cost-effective
than NF. This is due in part to the fact that RO product waters in many cases
may be blended to a greater extent than NF product water. Greater blending may also
allow for a reduction in capital and subsequent O&M expenditures.
This paper presents a study of the impacts of these factors on full life cycle costs.
Considerations are given to capital costs associated with a new membrane plant, feed
water quality, finished water quality goals, membrane technology (NF vs. RO), pressure
energy requirements, rejection, the degree of blending, and the amount of system
recovery that can be achieved. Includes tables, figures.
| Edition : | Vol. - No. |
| File Size : | 1
file
, 590 KB |
| Note : | This product is unavailable in Ukraine, Russia, Belarus |
| Number of Pages : | 12 |
| Published : | 06/17/2004 |
