REVERSE OSMOSIS SYSTEM FOR AN ADVANCED SEPARATION PROCESS LABORATORY.

This paper focuses on the development of a small pilot unit for use in an advanced separations process laboratory. The end goal is to develop experiments with advanced separation processes such as reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration, adsorption, chromatography, etc. This paper presents one step in that direction. The system that was developed for an advanced separations laboratory was based on using small spiral wound membranes and can operate at feed rates to 10 gpm and pressures to 1000 psi. Feed flow, solute concentration, temperature, pressure, and recovery can all be independently varied. The system can operate in various flow schemes. Experiments investigate simple operational parameters and mass transfer characteristics. Permeate production and solute rejection are studied. More detailed experiments involving organic separation, concentration polarization and fouling and other membrane configurations can be performed.