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Improving America’s Water Through Membrane Filtration & Desalting

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North American Desalination and Membrane Trends

Doug EisbergAmerican Membrane Technology Association

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Early North America Membrane Technology

In 1959 UCLA became the first to demonstrate a practical process known as reverse osmosis In 1964 General Atomic developed the first spiral wound membrane elementIn 1971 Reverse Osmosis General Atomic (ROGA ) installed the 1st

major potable water reverse osmosis system in Ocean Reef, Florida

Desalination and Membrane Use in North America

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Improving America’s Water Through Membrane Filtration & Desalting

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Use of the technology continues to grow

Over 1400 Major Desalination-Nanofiltration Systems Over 1000 Major Microfiltration and Ultrafiltration SystemsOver 400 Major Membrane Bioreactor systems

Desalination and Membrane Use in North America

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Improving America’s Water Through Membrane Filtration & Desalting

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The Desalination and Water Reuse Landscape

North America is experiencing record droughtThe need for additional water is criticalThe areas most affected are the Midwest and WestThe list of municipal projects is now extensiveThese projects will be a mix of desalination and reuse technologies Projects are slated for both municipal and industrial segments

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Improving America’s Water Through Membrane Filtration & Desalting

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Current SituationMost desalination is brackish waterUsed as a standard for most industriesAcceptance of large diameter is slowCarlsbad Seawater plant under construction

Future TrendsLarger seawater systems will become realityLow energy, low fouling technology will become the normZero liquid discharge technology will help expand use for some applicationsRecovery rates will continue to increase into more highly stressed waters

Better Ion ControlBetter antiscalant development

Desalination Trends in North America

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Current SituationNanofiltration has been a popular processUsed mainly for color and hardness removalAcceptance for new facilities is goodMany larger plants have been builtLimited number of products for Nanofiltration

Future TrendsMore Nanofiltration products will be developed by manufacturersExisting facilities will be expandedTheir use in non-water applications will growLime softening plants will be replaced with membrane facilities

Membrane Softening Trends in North America

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Current SituationThere are several manufacturers and more are entering the marketThe products are not interchangeableThe market is growing Large municipal systems are common

Future TrendsGreater growth than desalination and nanofiltrationMore suppliers entering the market with componentsUse on difficult waters will expandUse as pretreatment to RO will expandInterchangeability of MF/UF modules from different manufacturers will change the marketCeramic membranes will gain acceptance in industrial applications

Micro/Ultrafiltration Trends in North America

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Current SituationMBR is growing rapidly with the advantages of smaller footprint than conventional treatment and a potential reuse of the waterMixture of biological waste treatment and membrane treatmentPretreatment operation is very important

Future TrendsThe use of MBR will rapidly increase

Smaller footprint than conventionalNeed to reuse water from waste streamsAcceptance of reuse water for industrial as well as other uses such as barrier protection and aquifer replenishment

Membrane Bioreactor Trends in North America

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Current SituationIndirect use is getting attention and being implemented in some areas for:

Barrier ControlAquifer ReplenishmentIrrigationDischarge to Reservoirs

The first direct potable plants have been builtFuture Trends

Reuse will become a major source of waterTertiary effluent treatmentReinjectionIndustrial use such as cooling towers, rinsing ,etc.Indirect potable reuse in the near future

Water Reuse Trends in North America

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