DuPont has introduced a new low-energy reverse osmosis element designed to reduce biofouling impacts and improve operational efficiency in seawater desalination plants.
The FilmTec™ SW30XLE-400/34 reverse osmosis (RO) element has been developed to address one of the most persistent challenges facing seawater reverse osmosis systems: biofouling. The accumulation of biological material on membrane surfaces can increase pressure drop, drive up energy consumption and require more frequent chemical cleaning, raising both operating costs and downtime.
According to DuPont Water Solutions, the new RO element has been engineered to deliver reliable performance under typical seawater operating conditions while reducing the initial pressure required to achieve target throughput.
Lower pressure drop and improved efficiency
Validation testing carried out at DuPont’s Global Water Technology Center in Tarragona demonstrated that the FilmTec™ SW30XLE-400/34 element can achieve up to a 25% lower initial pressure drop compared with previous-generation seawater elements.
Lower operating pressure can translate into reduced energy demand, improved system efficiency and longer operating cycles between clean-in-place (CIP) events. DuPont says this can help desalination operators minimise downtime while maintaining stable production.
The element is designed for use in seawater reverse osmosis applications where fouling control, energy efficiency and operational reliability are critical considerations.
Supporting global desalination and water treatment needs
DuPont Water Solutions supplies membrane, resin and system technologies to water utilities, industrial users and desalination facilities worldwide. The company reports that its technologies are currently used to help purify more than 50 million gallons of water every minute across 112 countries.
In addition to municipal and desalination applications, DuPont’s water treatment portfolio supports sectors including microelectronics manufacturing, power generation and emerging energy technologies such as lithium processing and green hydrogen production.
The introduction of the new FilmTec™ seawater element reflects ongoing efforts to improve desalination efficiency as operators face rising energy costs, tightening environmental requirements and increasing global demand for potable water.
