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Membrane plants in North America
Author(s) -
Morin Oram J.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
journal ‐ american water works association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.466
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1551-8833
pISSN - 0003-150X
DOI - 10.1002/j.1551-8833.1994.tb06285.x
Subject(s) - reverse osmosis , membrane , electrodialysis , environmental science , raw material , membrane technology , pulp and paper industry , chemistry , environmental engineering , engineering , biochemistry , organic chemistry
Feedwaters with TDS concentrations up to 6,500 mg/L are being treated by membrane processes to drinking water standards. The objectives of this survey were to determine the number of membrane plants currently operating in North America, assess industry growth, and identify trends. In December 1993, the combined capacity of the more than 190 plants was >215 mgd. Approximately 80 percent are reverse osmosis (RO) units, and 20 percent are electrodialysis reversal (EDR). Recovery rates as high as 85 percent for RO and 94 percent for EDR systems are being used for normal operation. The blending of raw water with the membrane product water is common practice. Different membranes are sometimes being used for plants with two or more stages.