Environmentally friendly water treatment system equipped with an FO membrane jointly developed with SWPC and AJMC; provisional patent application filed in the U.S. - Seite 2

Next, by bringing low-concentration treated water (C) and concentrated seawater (A) produced in the above process together across the FO membrane in the system, water flow occurs from the low-concentration treated water side to the concentrated seawater side due to the osmotic pressure difference, diluting the concentrated seawater (A) to produce diluted concentrated seawater (A'). The energy resulting from this water flow can be used to power pressure pumps and other equipment in the plant.

The diluted concentrated seawater (A') can be used again for desalination using the RO membrane because its concentration is similar to that of normal seawater. In the normal desalination process, chemicals are used during the step in which microparticles are removed from pumped seawater. In the system, when the diluted concentrated seawater (A') is reused for desalination, microparticles have already been removed beforehand, and this step can be eliminated, thus reducing the cost of using these chemicals.

The system, which effectively utilizes concentrated seawater in the above manner, can be easily added to existing desalination plants. Incorporating the system into an existing desalination process not only contributes to reducing the discharge of concentrated seawater, but also can use the energy generated within the system to cover part of the energy required for desalination, thereby contributing to realizing an environmentally friendly water treatment system without requiring a large capital investment.

Going forward, in cooperation with SWPC and AJMC, Toyobo will establish know-how for stable operation of the system through demonstration tests, aiming for its early commercialization. Through the widespread rollout of the system, Toyobo will support the operation of seawater desalination plants with low environmental impact and low cost, and contribute to solving the global water shortage problem.

For more information:

https://www.toyobo-global.com/news/2021/release_335.html

Contact:
Public Relations Group, Corporate Sustainability Department, Toyobo Co., Ltd.
Email: [e-mail]