15 m³/h seawater desalination: expected water quality?

A seawater desalination plant that can handle 15 m³/h should produce water that is nothing less than excellent. The goal of these high-tech devices is to turn saltwater into clean, drinkable water that meets strict international standards. The total dissolved solids (TDS) level in water made by a well-designed 15 m³/h saltwater reverse osmosis (SWRO) system can usually be less than 500 mg/L, and levels as low as 200–300 mg/L are common. This is very close to what the World Health Organization says is acceptable for drinking water. Other impurities, like bacteria, viruses, and harmful contaminants like boron, are also successfully removed by the system. The water that is left is not only safe to drink, but it can also be used in many industrial settings. Because the exact quality can be fine-tuned to meet specific needs, these systems are flexible enough to be used for a wide range of tasks, from providing water to cities to running specialized industrial processes.

Achieving WHO and EPA Standards for Drinking Water

There are strict rules about the safety of drinking water set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the World Health Organization (WHO). If you build and run a 15m3/hour seawater desalination system correctly, it can meet these standards and often go beyond them.

Key Parameters and Their Typical Values

pH: 6.5-8.5
TDS: <500 mg/L
Turbidity: <1 NTU
Chlorides: <250 mg/L
Sodium: <200 mg/L
Boron: <2.4 mg/L (WHO guideline)

High-rejection seawater RO membranes are usually used in these devices, which use advanced membrane technology, and the multi-stage filtration method, which includes pre-treatment steps like ultrafiltration and multi-media filtration, gets rid of microorganisms, suspended solids, and organic matter, and after the water has been treated, steps like remineralization and pH change make it even better so it meets certain standards, with a 15m3/hour seawater desalination system in stock.

Typical TDS and Boron Removal Rates for a Standard SWRO System

The efficiency of a SWRO plant in removing Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and boron is crucial for producing high-quality permeate. Standard SWRO systems are renowned for their impressive removal rates.

TDS Removal Efficiency

A well-designed SWRO system can achieve TDS removal rates of 99.6% to 99.8%. This means that for seawater with an average TDS of 35,000 mg/L, the permeate TDS can be reduced to: 35,000 * (1 - 0.996) = 140 mg/L (best case) 35,000 * (1 - 0.998) = 70 mg/L (exceptional performance)

Boron Removal Efficiency

Boron removal is particularly important in a seawater desalination plant as it can be harmful to crops and human health in high concentrations, and standard SWRO membranes typically achieve 78-92% boron rejection rates, however, for applications requiring ultra-low boron levels, additional treatment steps or specialized membranes may be necessary.

For seawater with an average boron concentration of 4.5 mg/L: 4.5 * (1 - 0.78) = 0.99 mg/L (standard performance) 4.5 * (1 - 0.92) = 0.36 mg/L (high performance)

How does a 15 m³/h system ensure consistent, high-purity permeate?

Ensuring consistent, high-purity permeate in a 15 m³/h seawater desalination system involves a combination of advanced technologies, careful system design, and rigorous operational protocols.

Key Components and Strategies

Robust Pre-treatment: Effective pre-treatment is crucial for maintaining membrane performance and longevity. This typically includes:
- Coagulation and flocculation to remove suspended particles
- Multi-media filtration for removing larger particles
- Ultrafiltration or microfiltration for fine particle and microbial removal
High-quality RO Membranes: The heart of the system, these membranes are designed specifically for seawater applications, offering high salt rejection rates and durability.
Energy Recovery Devices: These devices recover energy from the high-pressure concentrate stream, improving overall system efficiency and reducing operational costs.
Advanced Control Systems: Automated control systems monitor and adjust operational parameters in real-time, ensuring optimal performance and consistent water quality.
Post-treatment: This may include remineralization to improve taste and adjust pH, and disinfection to ensure microbiological safety.

Operational Strategies for Consistency

Maintaining consistent, high-purity permeate in an SWRO plant also requires diligent operational practices:

Regular membrane cleaning and replacement schedules
Continuous monitoring of feed water quality and adjusting pre-treatment accordingly
Optimization of operating conditions (pressure, temperature, recovery rate) based on feed water characteristics
Implementing a comprehensive preventive maintenance program

By combining these advanced technologies with meticulous operational practices, a 15 m³/h seawater desalination system in a seawater desalination plant factory can reliably produce high-quality water that meets or exceeds international standards for drinking water and industrial applications.

Conclusion

The most efficient way to convert saltwater into drinkable freshwater is with a seawater desalination system that operates at a flow rate of 15 m³/h in a seawater desalination plant, and the permeate produced by these systems is drinkable enough to fulfill all of the international drinking water quality standards, and the TDS and boron removal rates are quite astounding, and water from these plants is suitable for a wide range of applications, from municipal water supply to specific industrial needs, thanks to state-of-the-art membrane technology, robust pre-treatment processes, and careful system design and operation.

In search of an efficient and dependable method to desalinate saltwater? Quangdong Morui Environmental Technology Co., Ltd. is your best bet. Our extensive range of water treatment services includes treating industrial wastewater, home sewage, desalinizing seawater, and producing drinking water. In order to make sure that our state-of-the-art technology fits in with your operations without a hitch, we offer comprehensive installation and commissioning services in addition to equipment supply.

We promise high-quality parts that are made to fit your needs because we have our own membrane factory and several equipment processing factories. When it comes to water treatment equipment, we bring you the best because we are authorized agents for well-known names. Our cutting-edge RO systems are made to meet all of your different needs quickly and reliably, whether you work in manufacturing, food and beverage, medicines, or any other field that needs high-purity water.

Your business shouldn't be held back by worries about the water safety. Talk to us at benson@guangdongmorui.com right away to find out how our cutting-edge seawater desalination systems can change your water source and make your business run more smoothly. For better water quality and long-term success, let Guangdong Morui work with you.

References

1. World Health Organization. (2017). Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality: Fourth Edition Incorporating the First Addendum.

2. Voutchkov, N. (2018). Desalination Project Cost Estimating and Management. CRC Press.

3. Lattemann, S., & Höpner, T. (2008). Environmental impact and impact assessment of seawater desalination. Desalination, 220(1-3), 1-15.

4. Greenlee, L. F., Lawler, D. F., Freeman, B. D., Marrot, B., & Moulin, P. (2009). Reverse osmosis desalination: water sources, technology, and today's challenges. Water research, 43(9), 2317-2348.

5. Fritzmann, C., Löwenberg, J., Wintgens, T., & Melin, T. (2007). State-of-the-art of reverse osmosis desalination. Desalination, 216(1-3), 1-76.

6. Khawaji, A. D., Kutubkhanah, I. K., & Wie, J. M. (2008). Advances in seawater desalination technologies. Desalination, 221(1-3), 47-69.