PMC Introduces Closed Circuit Reverse Osmosis (CCRO) technology
PMC is Introducing the revolutionary Closed Circuit Reverse Osmosis (CCRO) technology to the water and process industry in Europe. CCRO is transforming water purification and recovery practices across various industries.
Traditional RO systems generate excessive brine waste, inefficiently utilize water supplies, and consume significant energy. In contrast, CCRO systems offer water conservation, reducing brine waste by up to 75% and energy consumption by up to 35% compared to conventional reverse osmosis designs. These systems also greatly minimize fouling and scaling on membranes, resulting in reduced maintenance and downtime.
Direct comparisons between traditional reverse osmosis and CCRO have showcased remarkable advancements in fouling and scaling resistance. Notably, at Padre Dam, CCRO achieved water recovery rates of 96% without requiring Clean-In-Place processes, surpassing the industry’s highest recovery rates of 85% (which often necessitate multiple CIPs) for comparable water sources.
CCRO systems operate by recirculating pressurized feedwater until the desired recovery level is attained. Fresh feedwater replaces brine without interrupting the flow of pressurized feed or permeate. Unlike multiple membrane elements and stages in series, CCRO achieves recovery through recirculation in a single stage. This patented semi-batch reverse osmosis process has demonstrated recovery rates of up to 98% in single-stage brackish systems, conserving more water and reducing more waste than traditional one-, two-, and three-stage reverse osmosis systems. Recovery is adjustable, providing unmatched flexibility. Crossflow facilitated by a circulation pump cleanses the membrane, while salinity cycling disrupts and significantly reduces scaling and fouling. The cycle times are shorter than the induction time for scale deposition, and frequent and complete brine rejection can even prevent and reverse precipitation, enabling the achievement of very high recovery rates even from challenging water sources. Moreover, significant fluctuations in salinity and pressure within the feed-brine side of the reverse osmosis membranes inhibit biological growth.
The low initial pressure in each CCRO sequence results in lower operating pressure and less pump energy compared to traditional RO systems. When treating seawater, it consumes only enough power to overcome the water’s osmotic pressure, leading to a record low energy consumption of 1.45 kWh/m3.
CCRO systems, with their short membrane arrays and high crossflow, allow for operation at higher average fluxes without exceeding the flow or recovery specifications of conventional reverse osmosis membranes manufacturers.
CCRO systems have diverse applications similar to traditional reverse osmosis, including industrial process water, food, beverage, and pharmaceutical ingredient water, boiler water pretreatment, irrigation water desalination, brine concentration, and municipal wastewater treatment.
Given their exceptional water recovery rates and unmatched operational flexibility, CCRO systems are particularly valuable for sites with variable feedwater, high silica concentrations, expensive liquid waste disposal, and strict liquid waste volume limits.
This represents a significant shift in water efficiency and reliability. CCRO systems minimize the largest cost associated with reverse osmosis system operation—wastewater disposal—which can be reduced by 50% to 75% and provide paybacks in under a year. CCRO systems come with an industry-leading maximum recovery guarantee, operating at up to 98% recovery, enabling businesses to achieve their sustainability goals. Closed Circuit Reverse Osmosis enhances our customers’ financial, environmental, and operational competitiveness.