What pressure range is required to force brackish water through a reverse osmosis membrane?

The appropriate pressure range required to force brackish water through a reverse osmosis membrane typically falls between 200 and 500 psi. This is due to the need for sufficient pressure to overcome the osmotic pressure of the brackish water, which is a mixture of salt water and fresh water.

Brackish water usually has a total dissolved solids (TDS) concentration that is lower than seawater but higher than freshwater, necessitating higher pressures than those used in treating seawater or freshwater. The efficiency of the reverse osmosis process is significantly influenced by this pressure; higher pressures are more effective at pushing water through the membrane while assisting in separating the salts and other impurities.

The pressure values provided in this range allow for effective operation of the reverse osmosis system without risking damage to the membrane or resulting in excessive energy costs associated with too high of a pressure. Thus, water treatment facilities aiming to process brackish water typically design their systems to operate within this specified pressure range for optimal performance and efficiency.