Push It to the Limit with High-Recovery Closed Circuit Reverse Osmosis and Flow Reversal Reverse Osmosis

This paper describes the results of pilot testing Closed Circuit Reverse Osmosis (CCRO) and Flow Reversal Reverse Osmosis (FRRO) technologies in an existing brackish groundwater treatment plant to increase membrane system recovery and help the City of Santa Monica achieve its water sustainability goals. The City of Santa Monica has limited additional local water supplies available and is seeking the most cost-effective and sustainable technology capable of squeezing as much production as possible from the existing Arcadia Water Treatment Plant. Testing objectives included identifying the sustainable operating conditions to consistently achieve a RO system recovery of 90 percent. Pilot testing results informed full-scale treatment system design.