Integration of advanced high-pressure pumps and energy recovery equipment yields reduced capital and operating costs of seawater RO systems

High-pressure pumping and brine energy recovery equipment account for as much as 40% of the capital costs in seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) desalination systems. Energy consumption by the high-pressure feed pump accounts for at least 35% of the operating costs. Recently developed equipment integrates into one package the function of high-pressure pumping, energy recovery and control of feed and brine flows resulting in a substantial reduction in capital and operating costs of SWRO systems. The integrated equipment package is based on proven technology blended with state-of the-art fluid machine design and clever integration of numerous components heretofore installed individually in SWRO systems. This package will make a substantial contribution toward the reduction of capital and operating costs for SWRO systems with capacities between 50 and 500 m3/d permeate production per train.