The Evolution of Seawater RO Membranes

The story of seawater RO membranes begins in the 1960s. Scientists Sidney Loeb and Srinivasa Sourirajan invented the first RO membrane during this period. Their groundbreaking work paved the way for desalination technology, allowing us to convert seawater into freshwater. Notably, in 1961, U.S. President John F. Kennedy approved seawater desalination as a national project, recognizing its importance for water-scarce regions.

Alexander Zarchin, an Israeli engineer, created a groundbreaking thermal desalination process more than 60 years ago. Inspired by an Arctic explorer who obtained drinking water from melted ice, Zarchin’s innovative work paved the way for advancements in desalination technology. His method involved freezing seawater in a vacuum, allowing the ice to desalinate, and then collecting the resulting fresh water while also collecting the salt. Since then, desalination has continued to evolve, providing a critical solution for sustainable water development worldwide.

Reverse osmosis is a widely used method for desalinating seawater. It involves forcing water through a semipermeable membrane that selectively allows water molecules to pass while blocking salts and impurities. The purified water is collected on one side of the membrane, leaving behind concentrated brine. RO produces pure water regardless of the feedstock’s salt concentration. It can be energy-intensive and requires significant infrastructure. Additionally, handling the toxic brine waste is a challenge. Ocean water and highly saline waters. Evaporation and pumping can consume up to 80 megawatt-hours per megaliter of water produced. In the Middle East, plants often use waste heat from adjacent power plants and cheap oil for thermal desalination.

Seawater Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) is a desalination process that uses specialized membranes to remove salt and impurities from seawater. These membranes have been commercially used since the early 1970s. Unlike traditional desalination methods that require heat or phase changes, SWRO relies on membranes, making it more energy-efficient

Fast forward to the present day, and we find HID Membrane Co., Ltd. at the forefront of RO membrane manufacturing. Established in 2008, HID has become a prominent player in the industry, both within China and globally.