Design Criteria and Operating Conditions Have Sizeable Impacts on Trace Organic Removal by Reverse Osmosis for Potable Reuse

This presentation describes the results of mathematical modeling that demonstrates the extent to which reverse osmosis design criteria and operating conditions affect the removal of trace organics in potable reuse applications. Reverse osmosis is used in advanced treatment facilities to remove a wide variety of organic compounds, and achieving high removal is important for protecting public health. Two important outcomes of this study are (1) the rejection of neutral organics is much more sensitive to design and operating conditions than is the rejection of ionic species and TDS, and (2) the objective to maximize organic rejection is potentially in direct conflict with objectives to maximize water recovery and minimize energy consumption.