Membrane Processes

Forward Osmosis: Desalination

Modern Water owns, installs and operates world-leading membrane
technologies and we are the world-leader in Forward Osmosis (FO)
technology. We have successfully implemented and operated our
patented desalination process internationally and produce fresh water
in some of the most demanding seawater conditions in the world.

Our FO process consistently delivers significant reductions in

operational costs, reduced lifetime costs and it reliably produces high
quality product water, even in the most challenging conditions.
We use our world-leading FO technology platform in a number of
membrane process applications other than for seawater or brackish
water desalination. These include: evaporative cooling systems,
secondary oil recovery and the development of renewable energy
using hydro osmotic power (HOP).

FO desalination benefits

A proven, reliable and robust

membrane process

Energy consumption
typically up to 30% lower
than conventional Reverse
Osmosis (RO)

Inherently low fouling

characteristics (both
particulate and biological fouling)

Significantly reduced product

boron levels without post-treatment
when compared to conventional RO

Higher availability than

a conventional RO plant due to
low fouling, simple cleaning and
ease of operation

Forward Osmosis Vs Reverse Osmosis

Reverse Osmosis
(RO)

Membrane Fouling

Energy Consumption

Innovative process solution now

fully operational & commercially
available (Al Khaluf, Oman - the
worlds first commercial FO plant
began operation in 2010). 2
Competitive advantages
over RO.
Significant further process
improvements to come.

Extremely low inherent

fouling - low pressure, diffusion
driven process.
Possibility to consider
reduced pre-treatment.
* site dependent
FO Membranes are chlorine
tolerant allowing effective
treatment for bio-fouling.

Typically up to 30% less than RO.

The more difficult the feedwater
the higher the energy saving.

Mature, well established

technology (Coalinga,
California - the worlds first
commercial RO plant began
operation in1965).
Little further improvement likely.

High pressure - prone to

fouling, hydraulic forces increase
fouling - a key issue.
RO Membranes are not chlorine
tolerant.

Typically up to 30% more

than FO.
Any degree of fouling, higher
than FO.

Operational Costs

Boron Removal

Less than RO due to higher

availability, less chemical
cleaning and fewer membrane
replacements.
Extended membrane life
- FO membrane life typically
twice that of the equivalent
RO membrane.

Inherently high removal, without

the need for post treatment
(less than 1 ppm).

Very similar to RO, but with less

frequent cleaning and increased
membrane life.

More than FO due to lower

availability, higher energy costs,
more chemical cleaning and
membrane replacements.
Source
Water
(Seawater
or brackish
water)

Poor removal and may

require additional costly post
treatment system.

P1 - P2 >

Similar to FO but more

frequent cleaning and reduced
membrane life.

Process explained

Product 72 m 3/d

P2

Feed 288 m 3/d

RO

P1

A1 Khaluf FO Plant

A1 Khaluf, Oman

Reverse Osmosis (RO)

2kW

Feed 288 m 3/d

A1 Khaluf RO Plant

Brine 188 m /d
3

FO

FO Normalised Flow (m 3/h)

25kW
AI Khaluf FO Plant
5.0
4.5
4.0
3.5
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0

Product 72 m 3/d
Feed 288 m 3/d

Brine 216 m 3/d

Seawater or brackish
water feed
May 2010

2kW

AI Khaluf RO Plant
5.0
4.5
35% Conversion
Feed 288 m 3/d Membranes 4Installed
4.0
barg
August 2009, 4.2 m 3/h
3.5
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0
Jan 2010
Feb 2010
Mar 2010
Apr 2010

Jun 2010

Product 100 m 3/d

Regeneration

RO
A1 Khaluf
FO
Feb 2010
Mar
2010 Plant
Apr 2010

47% Conversion
65 barg

42% reduction in
energy consumption
vs RO at A1 Khaluf

25% Conversion
65 barg

Jan 2010

Normalised Permeate Flow (m 3/h)

35% Conversion
4 barg

Jul 2010

19kW
Aug 2010

Sep 2010

Oct 2010

Nov 2010

Reject from FO System

Dec 2010

Typical Year

47% Conversion
65 barg

Product in OA 100 m 3/d

Product 100 m 3/d

FO System

New Membranes Installed

Regeneration

FO

30% Decline in Output Over Just Five Months

May 2010

Jun 2010

Jul 2010

Typical Year

Aug 2010

Sep 2010

Concentrated
Osmotic Agent

Diluted
Osmotic Agent

3
/d on New Membranes
Brine
188 m
Cleaning
Activity

Oct 2010

Nov 2010

Dec 2010

Regeneration System

At the heart of the Modern Water

process is a recirculating osmotic agent
system that transfers pure water from
the feedwater (eg seawater) to the
regeneration (permeate extraction) system.
By linking two highly optimised systems,
the FO system and the regeneration
system, significant benefits are achieved.

19kW

Product in OA 100 m 3/d

42% reduction in
energy consumption
vs RO at A1 Khaluf

25% Conversion
65 barg
Brine 216 m 3/d

Forward Osmosis (FO)

Similar capital cost on a

like-for-like basis

Reverse Osmosis (RO)

25kW

Osmotic
Agent
(High
Osmotic
Pressure)

Similar capital cost on a

like-for-like basis.

P1

A1 Khaluf RO Plant

Source
Water
(Seawater
or brackish
water)

Capital Cost

P2

Osmotic
Agent
(High
Osmotic
Pressure)

Forward Osmosis (FO)

Ease of Operation

P1 - P2 >

Forward Osmosis
(FO)

Technology Status

Product Water

In the first stage, feedwater is fed under

low pressure to the forward osmosis
membranes, which are highly resistant to
fouling and are resistant to oxidising agents.
The osmotic agent, on the other side of
the membrane, draws fresh water from the
seawater due to a difference in osmotic
pressure. This fresh water dilutes the
osmotic agent.
In the second stage, permeate is extracted
from the system. The pure water is
removed from the dilute osmotic agent
which is regenerated (or concentrated)
for reuse in the first stage. This can be
achieved in a number of ways depending
on the proprietary osmotic agent selected.

To find out how we can help you please contact us on:

+ 44 (0)1483 696 000

Modern Water plc
Bramley House, The Guildway
Old Portsmouth Road
Guildford
Surrey GU3 1LR
United Kingdom

Other offices:
Modern Water
Villa 10593
Way No 4494
Azaibah
Muscat
Sultanate of Oman

Modern Water
903, Al Thuraya
Tower 1
Dubai Media City
Dubai
UAE

Modern Water
Unit 1701-2
Westgate Tower
1038 Nanjing Road W
Shanghai200041
China

+ 968 244 918 33

+ 971 4 4515 988

+ 86 21 6218 5183 Ext.140

www.modernwater.com
DesalJun12