GE says its new membrane to purify tough-to-treat water such as wastewater from industrial processes can reduce time between cleanings by up to 50 percent.
The AG LF series is a low-fouling reverse osmosis (RO) membrane (see diagram) that GE says resists degradation from water containing bacteria, colloids and other materials that foul and shorten membrane element life. It uses a coating technology that improves cleaning cycles, reduces pressure and reduces friction on the surface of the membrane, making it resistant to organic fouling.
The company says it has successfully pilot tested the low-fouling RO membrane in Asia. Customer experience with the AG LF membrane has shown the membranes require fewer cleaning cycles compared to conventional brackish membranes in tough-to-treat applications, such as steel production, power plants and plating processes, according to GE.
This less frequent cleaning means lower operating pressure and reduced environmental impact, says Yuvbir Singh, general manager, engineered systems, water and process technologies for GE Power & Water.
The AG LF membrane addresses the issues of water scarcity and lack of fresh water in many regions by reducing the amount of harmful effluent wastewater that power plants, metals processing and other industrial facilities send to municipal sewage or fresh-water sources, the company says.