Microfiltration enhanced reverse osmosis for water treatment

摘要

Disclosed is an improved method for extending the useful life of a reverse osmosis membrane having a high pressure side and a low pressure side, the membrane used for separating soluble and sparingly soluble inorganic materials from an aqueous solution, the process comprising introducing an aqueous solution containing the soluble and sparingly soluble inorganic materials to the high pressure side of a reverse osmosis membrane and pressurizing the aqueous solution on said high pressure side to produce liquid on the low pressure side substantially free of said inorganic materials. Solution containing concentrated inorganic materials is transformed from the high pressure side of the reverse osmosis membrane to a high pressure side of a microfiltration membrane, and soluble inorganic materials transferred to the high pressure side of the microfiltration membrane was precipitated to provide solution containing particles of the inorganic materials.