Rejection of low-molecular weight neutral organics is highly sensitive to reverse osmosis system design and operation

Howe, Kerry J.; Hernandez‐Quintero, Jose P.; Lee, Carson O.

doi:10.1002/aws2.70000

Title: Rejection of low-molecular weight neutral organics is highly sensitive to reverse osmosis system design and operation

Journal Article · 29 September 2024 · AWWA water science (Online)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/aws2.70000 · OSTI ID:2475588

^[1]; Hernandez‐Quintero, Jose P. ^[1];

^[1]

Univ. of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM (United States)

A computational model was developed to investigate the significance of system design and operating conditions on the rejection of neutral, low-MW organics by reverse osmosis for potable reuse. Here, the model demonstrated that the decrease in local rejection as net driving pressure decreases is substantially greater for moderately rejected compounds than for highly rejected compounds. At recovery values less than 70%, the local permeate concentration can exceed the pressure vessel feed concentration for moderately rejected compounds. System-level rejection of moderately rejected compounds is likewise substantially more sensitive to operating conditions than highly rejected compounds. The findings highlight a drawback of relying on rejection results from bench-scale testing that operates at low recovery, which invariably has higher rejection than full-scale systems operating at similar pressure. The analysis demonstrates a trade-off in which the low-pressure, high-recovery operation desired for potable reuse systems can be detrimental to the removal of low-MW neutral organics. The removal of low-MW neutral organics can be improved if organics rejection is explicitly evaluated during the design process.

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Research Organization:: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: National Science Foundation (NSF); USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)

Grant/Contract Number:: 89233218CNA000001

OSTI ID:: 2475588

Report Number(s):: LA-UR--24-27497

Journal Information:: AWWA water science (Online), Journal Name: AWWA water science (Online) Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 6; ISSN 2577-8161

Publisher:: WileyCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
58 GEOSCIENCES
Neutral Organics
Operating Condition
Potable Reuse
Reverse Osmosis

Title: Rejection of low-molecular weight neutral organics is highly sensitive to reverse osmosis system design and operation

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