A unified model for the detailed investigation of membrane modules and RO plants performance

In this work a straightforward procedure for the detailed investigation of the performance of the membrane modules and RO plants has been suggested. The analysis is based on analytical equations for a two dimensional flow of two components and determines the permeate flow rate and the quality of the produced water. A software was developed, based in the proposed mathematical model, which can predict the brine and permeate characteristics for every individual membrane module in the pressure vessels in an RO plant, regardless of the type of the membranes. The predictions of the proposed software were verified by experimental data for a 380 m(3)/d RO plant, with 8" membrane module made by FilmTec. An excellent agreement was found between the prediction of the suggested model and the experimental data. The membrane performance predictions of the developed software were also compared and verified with the predictions made by commercial softwares of different membrane producers. The model can make prediction for any parameter at any point of the process. An equation for the permeate pressure in the membrane envelop was developed and the permeate pressure profile was presented and suggestions were made for possible weak points of the membrane envelops. It is believed that the analytical model which is presented in this work is a simple, accurate and quick procedure for modeling the RO plants performance and it can be applied in any type of membrane modules.