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The KMS FLUID SYSTEMS® brand of membranes continues to be the premier Reverse Osmosis (RO) technology available worldwide. The latest innovation is the remarkable MegaMagnum® RO Element with an 18” diameter and 60” length.
KMS manufactures reverse osmosis membranes in the spiral membrane configuration.
• Retains salts and organics
• Passes essentially only water
• Passes molecules in the range of 5 Angstroms (0.0005 micron) or 100 MWCO
RO membranes will reject dissolved and suspended materials including monovalent salts. Since essentially all dissolved and suspended material is rejected by the membrane, the RO permeate is pure water.
For example, water can be softened with a nanofiltration (NF) membrane that rejects 85% of salt (sodium chloride) but 99% of the hardness ions (calcium and magnesium). The highest salt rejection rates (99.7% or higher), which can be provided by RO membranes, are required for seawater desalination.
KMS RO products are designed for cross-flow separation, where a feed stream is introduced into the membrane element under pressure and passed over the membrane surface in a controlled flow path. A portion of the feed passes through the membrane and is called permeate. The rejected materials are flushed away in a stream called the concentrate. Cross-flow membrane filtration uses a high cross flow rate to enhance permeate passage and reduce membrane fouling.
KMS’ cross-flow membrane filtration controls the effect of concentration polarization and the gel layer. It provides the most rapid, and hence economic, continuous membrane filtration.
RO is a moderate to high pressure (80-1200 psig) driven process for separating larger size solutes from aqueous solutions by means of a semi-permeable membrane. This process is carried out by flowing a process solution along a membrane surface under pressure. Retained solutes (such as particulate matter and dissolved salts) leave with the flowing process stream and do not accumulate on the membrane surface. The amount of salt and other impurities is often referred to as TDS, or total dissolved solids. The higher the TDS, the more feed pressure required.
Membranes are made with various rejection rates for different applications. KMS produces membrane polymers to cover the full spectrum of RO pressure ranges. One of these membrane types is the TFC (thin-film-composite) family. TFC-S (“S” for softening) and TFC-SR (“SR” for selective rejection) are ideal for low TDS or softening type applications. For higher purity permeate, the ULP (ultra-low pressure) line offers high water flux and salt rejection in a 125 psi class membrane.
When salt rejection is paramount, the TFC-HR (high rejection) elements offer 99.5% in standard form, or 99.7% in the Premium model. Typically used in brackish water applications with up to 2000-5000 mg/l TDS, they operate around 200 psi When the water is higher in TDS, the XR (extreme rejection) element comes into its own with 99.7% salt rejection and excellent silica and TOC (total organic carbon) removal too.
For seawater desalination, KMS offers the SS (single-stage) membrane in various sizes and configurations that allow optimum system design. In the Premium line, salt rejection is at least 99.75%! Many of the SS products are designed to run up to 1200 psi for high salinity/high recovery installations.
KMS’ other main product line is known as ROGA® (Reverse Osmosis General Atomic). All ROGA® elements are made with a CA (cellulose acetate) blend membrane, which is resistant to organic fouling due to its smooth surface and neutral charge. The CA membrane operates well on chlorinated feeds, making it ideal for wastewater plants or other applications where chlorine is present or desired to minimize bacterial activity.
KMS elements come in standard 40” lengths, or in the new Magnum® series at 60” long. The Magnum® series offers several benefits, including fewer interconnectors, o-rings, brine seals; higher active areas; greater productivity; and lower cost per installed gallon.
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Examples of RO Applications |
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Application |
Permeate |
Concentrate (Retentate) |
Benefits of RO |
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Brackish water |
Water with low salinity. |
Water with higher salt content. |
Cost-effective alternative to ion exchange and distillation. |
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Potable water |
Water that meets WHO guidelines for dissolved solids |
Water with higher salt concentration |
Cost effective production of potable water from seawater and brackish water sources |
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Water reuse |
Water with low salinity, organics and bacteria |
Water with higher salt concentration |
Cost-effective method of producing low salinity recycled water for industrial applications and indirect potable reuse |
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Whey |
Low BOD and salinity permeate |
Whey concentrate |
Recovery of whey protein. |
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Dyeing effluent |
Clean water |
Water, BOD, salts, chemicals, etc. |
Produces clean water suitable for plant recycle or discharge. |
| Polishing wastewater UF permeate |
Water with low salinity, organics and bacteria |
Water with higher salt concentration |
Cost effective method of producing water to meet POTW standards or for water recycle |
Call us first! We want to help you choose the most effective solution for your application. Take advantage of 35 years of membrane treatment expertise. Performance is everything!
Please call +1-978-657-4250 or e-mail us.
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System Maintenance
KMS ASSIST® Service and Maintenance Programs help keep your system operating efficiently. KMS offers on-site and off-site membrane cleaning studies to refine your system's operation and prolong membrane life.
KMS Specialty Membrane Cleaning and Pretreatment Chemicals
Koch Membrane Systems can supply a full range of cleaning and pretreatment chemicals formulated specifically for members and membrane plants. Regular use of KOCHKLEEN® Membrane Cleaners and KOCHTREAT® Antiscalants will help prolong membrane life and protect your process.
KMS specialty chemicals are formulated by the same scientists that develop polymers for KMS and design KMS membranes. Unlike other cleaning companies, KMS only focuses on cleaning chemicals for membranes and systems. Therefore, KMS has taken its core competency and applied it to developing superior cleaning chemicals for the benefit of all KMS customers. |
KMS Membranes for Industrial Water and Wastewater processing--more than treatment, KMS creates value
Considering a new System?
You need more than just membranes to have a high performance system. Learn more about KMS’ system design and process engineering capabilities.
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