home page / Technical Documentation Center & Engineering Guide

Industrial Reverse Osmosis Pretreatment: From Raw Water Analysis to Operation

The lifespan and operational stability of reverse osmosis membranes directly depend on the success of the pretreatment. Engineering steps from raw water analysis to commissioning.

The physical, chemical and biological nature of the feed water reaching the membranes in the industrial reverse osmosis (RO) line is decisive in the sustainable operation of the entire system. Well water, surface/river water and OIZ mains water should not be handled with the same pre-treatment scheme.

Before design, turbidity (NTU), Silt Density Index (SDI₁₅), suspended solids (SS), total hardness, iron, manganese, silica, organic load (COD/TOC), free chlorine and conductivity parameters are evaluated together. In addition, the target flow chart changes if the pure water to be produced will be used in a high-pressure steam boiler, textile dyehouse, food or glass washing line.

Analysis data; It reveals which of the multimedia sand filter, iron-manganese removal unit, active carbon filter, resin softening, ultrafiltration (UF), 5 micron cartridge filter or SBS/antiscalant dosing systems are required. The main objective is to control the risk of particle fouling, free chlorine oxidation and mineral precipitation reaching thin film composite (TFC) polyamide membranes at the source.

For each pretreatment stage, filtration rate (m/h), differential pressure (ΔP), backwash water flow rate and drainage line capacity should also be part of the engineering calculation. Thus, pretreatment becomes a measurable business plan, not just a list of equipment.

During the commissioning phase, the first day's reference (baseline) values ​​are recorded; feed, product (permeate) and concentrate (waste) flow rates, stage pressures and conductivity values ​​are monitored. Elif Çevre Kimya's Industrial RO page includes PLC/SCADA automation panel, online conductivity/ORP monitoring and integrated CIP wash station options. Although there is a capacity range of 1–250 m³/hour in the catalogue, the exact project capacity cannot be guaranteed without verification of raw water analysis and intended use.

Pre-treatment Design Cannot Be Done Without Reading the Raw Water

The physical, chemical and biological nature of the feed water reaching the membranes in the industrial reverse osmosis (RO) line is decisive in the sustainable operation of the entire system. Well water, surface/river water and OIZ mains water should not be handled with the same pre-treatment scheme. Before design, turbidity (NTU), Silt Density Index (SDI₁₅), suspended solids (SS), total hardness, iron, manganese, silica, organic load (COD/TOC), free chlorine and conductivity parameters are evaluated together. In addition, the target flow chart changes if the pure water to be produced will be used in a high-pressure steam boiler, textile dyehouse, food or glass washing line.

Choosing the Right Filtration Stages

Analysis data; It reveals which of the multimedia sand filter, iron-manganese removal unit, active carbon filter, resin softening, ultrafiltration (UF), 5 micron cartridge filter or SBS/antiscalant dosing systems are required. The main objective is to control the risk of particle fouling, free chlorine oxidation and mineral precipitation reaching thin film composite (TFC) polyamide membranes at the source. For each pretreatment stage, filtration rate (m/h), differential pressure (ΔP), backwash water flow rate and drainage line capacity should also be part of the engineering calculation. Thus, pretreatment becomes a measurable business plan, not just a list of equipment.

Commissioning and Reference Records

During the commissioning phase, the first day's reference (baseline) values ​​are recorded; feed, product (permeate) and concentrate (waste) flow rates, stage pressures and conductivity values ​​are monitored. Elif Çevre Kimya's Industrial RO page includes PLC/SCADA automation panel, online conductivity/ORP monitoring and integrated CIP wash station options. Although there is a capacity range of 1–250 m³/hour in the catalogue, the exact project capacity cannot be guaranteed without verification of raw water analysis and intended use.

Field Control and Monitoring List

Chemical dosage and system capacity decisions should be determined by analysis and facility conditions; There is no guarantee of fixed dosage or performance.

  • Analysis of seasonal turbidity, SDI₁₅, iron/manganese and silica changes in raw water source
  • Resetting free chlorine before polyamide membranes (ORP monitoring with activated carbon and/or SBS)
  • Logging of multimedia filter and 5 µm cartridge filter inlet-outlet differential pressures (ΔP)
  • Archiving of the first reference (baseline) flow, pressure and conductivity form on the day of commissioning
  • Verifying that the backwash flow rate and water pressure are sufficient for media swell

Request a quote · 0546 499 23 42