DTRO Water Treatment for high-TDS and industrial wastewater

October 21, 2025

Disc Tube Reverse Osmosis (DTRO) water treatment has become a game-changing way to handle streams with a lot of TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) and complicated industry wastewaters. This new technology combines the strong performance of traditional reverse osmosis with a unique disc tube design. This lets DTRO water treatment systems handle very tough effluents that would quickly foul up traditional membranes. DTRO is a strong tool that can help factories and industrial facilities deal with strict discharge rules and rising water costs. It can help them recover more water, reduce waste, and even run operations with zero liquid discharge (ZLD). DTRO is very good at cleaning a lot of different kinds of high-TDS waters, such as mine and waste leachate, as well as concentrated brines from other treatment processes. In some cases, DTRO systems can collect up to 90% of the waste they process, which can greatly reduce the cost of removal while still making high-quality permeate that can be used again. The technology can work at high pressures, often above 120 bar, which means it can handle the osmotic pressure of highly concentrated streams. This is a big step forward for membrane-based water treatment.

DTRO Water Treatment

Is DTRO Water Treatment Suitable for Very High-TDS Streams?

Among the many ways to handle sewer streams with very high TDS, DTRO technology stands out as one of the best. Normal reverse osmosis systems have trouble with feed streams that have more than 70,000 mg/L TDS. DTRO units, on the other hand, can handle amounts well over 100,000 mg/L TDS. This amazing power comes from a few important design choices:

Robust Membrane Configuration

The disc tube design provides excellent mechanical support for the membrane, allowing operation at much higher pressures than spiral-wound elements. This enables DTRO to overcome the extreme osmotic pressures associated with very high-TDS streams.

Enhanced Fouling Resistance

The unique flow path created by the disc tube configuration promotes high turbulence at the membrane surface. This turbulence helps scour away foulants and scale-forming compounds, significantly extending membrane life in challenging applications.

Modular Scalability

By adding or removing disc tubes, DTRO systems are easily scalable, which means that treatment capacity can be perfectly matched to the features of the influent and the needs of the plant. This adaptability comes in handy when working with garbage streams that change often or with the seasons.

While DTRO water treatment excels with high-TDS waters, it's important to note that pretreatment requirements may increase with extremely concentrated feeds. Proper removal of suspended solids, organic matter, and potential scaling agents is crucial for optimal DTRO performance and longevity.

DTRO Water Treatment Process Design for Industrial Wastewater Reuse

Designing an effective DTRO water treatment system for industrial wastewater reuse requires careful consideration of several factors:

Feed Water Characterization

A comprehensive analysis of the wastewater stream is essential. This should include not only TDS levels, but also detailed information on specific ionic constituents, organics, suspended solids, and potential foulants. Understanding feed water variability over time is equally important for robust system design.

Treatment Goals

Clear goals must be set for the amount and quality of cleaned water. Is the permeate just for low-level tasks like making up cooling towers, or does it have to be ultrapure in order to be used in industrial processes? The purpose of the usage will determine the post-treatment needs and the general system setup.

Process Integration

Most of the time, DTRO devices are part of a bigger treatment plan. It's important to think about how the DTRO unit will fit in with current processes, like possible steps before treatment (like clarity or ultrafiltration) and steps after treatment (like ion exchange or electrodeionization) to make the material smoother.

Energy Efficiency

DTRO can work with high pressure, but it costs a lot to run because it needs a lot of power. The system can use as little power as possible if it is set up correctly and energy-recovery devices are used.

Concentrate Management

A key advantage of DTRO water treatment is its ability to achieve high recovery rates, but this also means dealing with a more concentrated reject stream. The process design must account for proper handling and potential further treatment of this concentrate.

By taking these things into account, engineers can create DTRO-based treatment systems that can turn difficult industrial wastewaters into useful water resources, helping with both environmental responsibility and business efficiency.

Concentrate Handling Options with DTRO Water Treatment (MVR, ZLD)

Even though DTRO technology can bring back a lot of water, it is still important to be able to control the concentrate stream that is made. There are two new technologies, Mechanical Vapor Recompression (MVR) and Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD), that work well with DTRO to get almost all of the water.

Mechanical Vapor Recompression (MVR)

MVR technology can serve as an efficient next step in treating DTRO concentrate. Here's how it works:

  • The DTRO concentrate is fed into an evaporator.
  • Steam generated from the evaporation process is mechanically compressed, raising its temperature and pressure.
  • This high-energy steam is then used to heat the incoming concentrate, creating a highly efficient, self-sustaining evaporation cycle.
  • The result is a further concentrated brine and high-purity distillate that can be reused.

MVR systems are particularly energy-efficient compared to traditional thermal evaporation, making them an attractive option for treating DTRO concentrate.

Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD)

For the ultimate in water recovery and waste minimization, ZLD systems can be implemented downstream of the DTRO process. A typical ZLD configuration might include:

  • Further concentration of DTRO reject using MVR or another evaporation technology.
  • Crystallization of the resulting brine to separate out dissolved solids.
  • Drying of the crystal slurry to produce a solid waste product.

While ZLD systems require significant capital investment and have high energy demands, they can be justified in regions with severe water scarcity or strict discharge regulations. The solid waste produced is often much easier and less costly to dispose of compared to liquid brine.

Hybrid Approaches

In many cases, a combination of concentrate management techniques may be optimal. For example, DTRO concentrate might be partially recycled to other plant processes, with only a portion sent for further treatment via MVR or ZLD. This approach can help balance water recovery goals with overall system economics.

The method used to handle concentrates will rely on things like local rules, the cost of dumping, the lack of water, and the energy sources that are available. By carefully combining DTRO water treatment with the right concentrate management technologies, factories can greatly reduce the amount of wastewater they produce and make the most of the chances to recover water.

Conclusion

DTRO water treatment technology from a reputable DTRO water treatment manufacturer is a powerful tool for businesses that have to deal with complicated wastewater issues. When combined with its high recovery rates and ability to handle very high TDS streams, it makes it a good choice for many uses. DTRO systems can help with environmental compliance and business efficiency by treating leachate from landfills and reusing water in industrial processes that need a lot of it.

As worries about water shortages grow and global rules on release get stricter, technologies like DTRO will become more important for managing water in factories. DTRO is pushing the limits of what is possible in membrane-based treatment. This creates new ways for many industries to save water and reuse it.

DTRO-based solutions could be a game-changer for plant managers, environmental engineers, and people in charge of making decisions about garbage that is hard to clean. Any cutting-edge treatment method depends on carefully planning the system, including the right steps before and after treatment, and always striving for operating excellence.

Are you ready to find out what your business can gain from DTRO water treatment? The best things that Guangdong Morui Environmental Technology Co., Ltd. does are set up modern water treatment systems, like cutting-edge DTRO systems. Our team of skilled engineers can help you figure out what's wrong with your wastewater and help you clean it up in a way that gets you the most water back while keeping costs as low as possible.

In order to guarantee that your DTRO system operates at its best, we provide a full range of services, including water analysis, system installation, commissioning, and continuing support. We supply high-quality, dependable equipment supported by prompt local service across our network of fourteen or more locations, thanks to our in-house membrane production facilities and collaborations with top component suppliers.

FAQ

Q1: How does DTRO differ from traditional reverse osmosis?

A: In place of the more common spiral-wound components, DTRO (disk Tube Reverse Osmosis) uses a membrane arrangement structured like a disk. The design permits operation at significantly greater pressures, allowing for the treatment of streams with a higher concentration. DTRO's turbulent flow properties also make it more fouling resistant.

Q2: What types of industries can benefit most from DTRO technology?

A: If your business deals with wastewater that has a lot of total dissolved solids (TDS) or needs a lot of water to be recovered, DTRO could help you. Effluent streams from sewers, mines, chemical production, food and drink preparation, and many other businesses are hard to handle.

Q3: Is DTRO suitable for small-scale applications?

A: DTRO is usually used in big factories, but the technology is flexible enough to be used in smaller places as well. Modular DTRO systems can be made to handle amounts as little as a few cubic meters per day, which makes them good for small factories or other unique treatment needs.

Expert DTRO Water Treatment Solutions for High-TDS Wastewater | Morui

Are you ready to use cutting-edge DTRO technology to change the way you treat wastewater? Guangdong Morui Environmental Technology Co., Ltd. can treat your toughest high-TDS streams with custom DTRO water treatment options. Our experienced team will work closely with you to create a system that recovers as much water as possible, wastes as little as possible, and makes your building run more efficiently.

We have the knowledge and tools to meet your needs, whether you need small, flexible units for smaller jobs or big industrial systems. You can trust Morui to provide a full and stress-free DTRO solution because we offer a wide range of services, such as providing equipment, installing it, activating it, and providing ongoing support.

Take the first step towards optimizing your water treatment strategy. Contact our team of specialists today at benson@guangdongmorui.com to schedule a consultation and discover how DTRO can transform your approach to managing challenging wastewaters.

References

1. Zhang, Y., et al. (2019). "Disc tube reverse osmosis as an emerging technology for high-salinity wastewater treatment." Water Research, 160, 222-233.

2. Gude, V. G. (2018). "Emerging Technologies for Sustainable Desalination Handbook." Butterworth-Heinemann.

3. Yoon, Y., et al. (2020). "Comparison of ceramic and polymeric membranes for treating high-TDS produced water in the oil and gas industry." Journal of Membrane Science, 598, 117676.

4. Subramani, A., & Jacangelo, J. G. (2017). "Emerging desalination technologies for water treatment: A critical review." Water Research, 115, 460-482.

5. Wang, Z., et al. (2018). "Membrane fouling in forward osmosis processes treating the reclamation of municipal wastewater: A review." Journal of Membrane Science, 547, 34-52.

6. Shaffer, D. L., et al. (2015). "Forward osmosis: Where are we now?" Desalination, 356, 271-284.

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