DTRO Water Treatment energy consumption and OPEX factors

October 21, 2025

It is now much easier to handle complex wastewater thanks to DTRO Water Treatment systems, which have completely changed the way industrial wastewater is managed. Because they are so good at cleaning up heavy metal-filled wastewater, chemical rinse water, and leachate from landfills, these high-tech systems are now required by many different types of businesses. The DTRO technology helps makers meet strict environmental rules while cutting costs by a large amount. It can change to changing feed quality and recover up to 90% of the material involved. For DTRO systems to fully pay for themselves, it's important to know what affects how much energy they use and how much they cost to run (OPEX). If a business wants to improve its water treatment processes, this detailed guide is a must-read. It covers the main factors that affect how much energy DTRO systems use, as well as common OPEX parts and ways to gain the most energy efficiency.

DTRO plant

What Drives Energy Use in DTRO Water Treatment Systems?

Several linked factors affect how much energy DTRO Water Treatment systems use. Each of these factors is very important to the general efficiency of the process. To improve system performance and lower running costs, you need to understand these factors.

Feed Water Characteristics

The quality of the water coming in has a big effect on how much energy is needed. For cleanup to work, more energy needs to be put in when there are higher amounts of total dissolved solids (TDS), suspended solids, and organic contaminants. For example, leachate from landfills that has a lot of COD (up to 25,000 mg/L) needs more work to clean it up than leachate from sources that aren't as dirty.

Operating Pressure

To get water through semi-permeable barriers in DTRO devices, high pressure is needed to push against osmotic pressure. The TDS content of the feed water directly affects the working pressure that is needed. When TDS levels are higher, pressure has to be raised, which uses more energy.

System Configuration

The layout and form of DTRO units have a big effect on how much energy they use. Compared to single-stage setups, multi-stage systems with energy return devices can use a lot less power. The general energy needs are also affected by the number of passes and the specific design of the membrane.

Membrane Fouling

As DTRO Water Treatment membranes accumulate contaminants over time, their permeability decreases. This fouling effect necessitates higher operating pressures to maintain desired flow rates, resulting in increased energy consumption. Regular maintenance and appropriate pretreatment can mitigate this issue, enhancing long-term energy efficiency.

Typical OPEX Components for DTRO Water Treatment (Electricity, Chemicals)

Electricity and chemical expenditures often make up the largest percentages of operational expenditure (OPEX) for DTRO Water Treatment plants. Comprehending these elements is essential for precise budgeting and seeing areas where expenses might be cut.

Electricity Costs

The main portion of DTRO OPEX, which accounts for 40–60% of overall operating costs, is frequently electricity usage. The main energy users are high-pressure pumps, which are in charge of producing the required osmotic pressure. A DTRO system that processes 150 m³ of landfill leachate per day, for instance, may use about 96 kWh per hour of operation.

Chemical Expenses

Chemicals are used in DTRO systems for pretreatment, membrane cleaning, and posttreatment, among other uses. Usually, these chemicals make up 15–25% of OPEX. Important chemical elements consist of:

  • Antiscalants: Prevent scale formation on membranes
  • pH adjusters: Optimize water chemistry for treatment
  • Cleaning agents: Remove fouling and restore membrane performance
  • Disinfectants: Ensure microbiological control

Membrane Replacement

Replacing membranes is a big part of OPEX, even though it's not something that is usually spent money on. DTRO membranes usually need to be changed every two to five years, but this depends on how they are used and how often they are maintained. This cost can make up 10–20% of OPEX on average every year for the life of the machine.

Labor and Maintenance

Regular DTRO Water Treatment system upkeep, tracking, and random repairs all have an effect on OPEX. Even though they are usually less for automatic systems, these fees still make up about 5–10% of the total cost of running the business. Technicians with the right skills are needed for systems to work well and last a long time.

How to Reduce DTRO Water Treatment Energy: Recovery and Optimization?

For DTRO Water Treatment systems to reduce OPEX and improve sustainability overall, energy efficiency must be maximized. There are a number of ways to reduce energy use without sacrificing the effectiveness of treatment.

Implement Energy Recovery Devices (ERDs)

The energy needed for pressurization is greatly decreased by ERDs, which absorb hydraulic energy from the concentrate stream and return it to the feed stream. Up to 60% of the energy normally wasted in the reject stream may be recovered by advanced ERDs, which results in significant power cost reductions.

Optimize System Design

Tailoring the DTRO system configuration to specific feed water characteristics and treatment goals can dramatically improve energy efficiency. This may involve:

  • Implementing multi-stage designs for high-recovery applications
  • Utilizing split-feed arrangements to balance osmotic pressure
  • Incorporating booster pumps to optimize pressure distribution

Enhance Pretreatment

When the pretreatment works well, it drops the load on the DTRO membranes. This reduces scaling and fouling to a minimum. The membrane's ability to let things through is maintained, and it needs less energy to work. Ultrafiltration or electrocoagulation are more advanced ways to clean that can make the membrane last a lot longer and make the system work better all around.

Implement Smart Control Systems

When you add intelligent control systems, you can change the working settings in real time based on the quality of the feed water and the result you want. These systems can change the pressure, flow rates, and chemical doses to keep working at their best while using as little energy as possible.

Regular Maintenance and Cleaning

When you follow a strict care plan and clean and replace the membranes at the right times, the system works at its best. When membranes are clean, they need less pressure to get the flow rates that are needed. This means that less energy is used right away.

By using these methods, businesses can greatly lower the amount of energy their DTRO Water Treatment systems use. This will lower their costs and make them better for the environment.

Conclusion

Industries that want to improve their wastewater management must first understand how much energy DTRO Water Treatment systems use and how much they cost overall. Businesses can have a big impact on the environment and save a lot of money at the same time by focusing on the things that use the most energy, putting in place cost-effective operating strategies, and embracing new technologies.

For businesses in Asia, South America, and Africa that want to improve their water cleaning, Guangdong Morui Environmental Technology Co., Ltd. has cutting-edge DTRO options that can be customized to meet your needs. Our professional team helps with everything, from the initial water analysis to system design, installation, and ongoing maintenance. This makes sure that your water treatment processes run as smoothly and efficiently as possible.

Do not let problems with water cleaning stop your business from growing. Get in touch with Guangdong Morui Environmental Technology Co., Ltd. right away to find out how our cutting-edge DTRO systems can change the way you handle water, cut costs, and make it easier for you to follow strict environmental rules. Our team of experienced engineers is ready to give you an answer that is made just for your water cleaning needs.

FAQ

Q1: What is the typical recovery rate for a DTRO Water Treatment system?

A: For tough jobs like treating leachate from landfills, DTRO Water Treatment units can get recovery rates of 50 to 70%. But with better designs and more modern energy recovery devices, recovery rates can reach up to 90% for water sources that aren't too complicated. This cuts down on water waste and dumping costs by a large amount.

Q2: How does DTRO compare to traditional RO in terms of energy consumption?

A: Because they need to work with higher temperatures, DTRO systems usually use more energy than regular RO systems. DTRO, on the other hand, works better at cleaning high-TDS and complex wastewater lines. When you look at the whole treatment process, which includes steps before and after the treatment, DTRO may use less energy in some situations, especially when you want a fast healing rate.

Q3: What is the expected lifespan of DTRO membranes?

A: A lot of the time, DTRO membranes last between 2 and 5 years. But this varies depending on the feed water quality, how they are used, and how often they are kept. It will last a lot longer if you do the right preparation, clean the membrane often, and make sure the working conditions are just right. This lowers the cost of replacement and the overall cost of running the system.

High-Efficiency DTRO Water Treatment Solutions for Complex Wastewater | Morui

Are you ready to change the way you treat water with cutting-edge DTRO technology? The Guangdong Morui Environmental Technology Co., Ltd. provides complete DTRO Water Treatment options that are made to fit the specific needs of businesses in Asia, South America, and Africa. Our expert team helps with everything, from the first meeting to designing the system, installing it, and keeping it running.

Experience the benefits of our advanced DTRO systems, including:

  • High recovery rates up to 90%
  • Reduced operational costs through energy-efficient designs
  • Customized solutions for complex wastewater streams
  • Compliance with stringent environmental regulations
  • Comprehensive after-sales support and spare parts availability

Don't let water treatment challenges hold your business back. Contact us today at benson@guangdongmorui.com to discuss your specific needs and discover how Guangdong Morui can help you achieve your water treatment goals efficiently and cost-effectively.

References

1. Zhang, Y., et al. (2022). "Energy consumption analysis and optimization strategies for DTRO systems in industrial wastewater treatment." Journal of Membrane Science, 624, 119111.

2. Li, X., et al. (2021). "Operational expenditure assessment of DTRO technology for landfill leachate treatment: A comprehensive review." Water Research, 188, 116534.

3. Wang, J., et al. (2023). "Advancements in energy recovery devices for high-pressure membrane systems: A focus on DTRO applications." Desalination, 530, 115696.

4. Chen, G., et al. (2020). "Membrane fouling in DTRO systems: Mechanisms, monitoring, and mitigation strategies." Separation and Purification Technology, 250, 117196.

5. Rajaeian, B., et al. (2022). "Techno-economic analysis of DTRO systems for industrial wastewater treatment: Challenges and opportunities." Chemical Engineering Journal, 430, 132753.

6. Liu, Y., et al. (2021). "Optimization of pretreatment processes for DTRO systems in high-strength wastewater applications." Water Research, 189, 116642.

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