OARO (Osmosis-Assisted Reverse Osmosis) technology, as a novel membrane-based brine desalination process, cleverly integrates the mechanisms of reverse osmosis (RO) and osmosis-assisted processes. This innovative technology significantly improves water recovery efficiency while effectively reducing energy consumption.
1. Core Technology: In the OARO process, water is transported through a semi-permeable membrane under hydraulic power. Simultaneously, a low-salinity brine flow is injected into the permeate side to act as a “sweeping flow,” effectively reducing the osmotic pressure difference across the membrane. Even if the osmotic pressure on the feed side exceeds the external hydraulic pressure, water can still be transported smoothly.
This technology can increase the water recovery rate to over 70%, a rate far exceeding that of traditional reverse osmosis processes (typically 35%-50%). The core of OARO technology lies in the use of a cross-flow membrane module with dual-end inlet water. One end of this module introduces a high-concentration brine, while the other end introduces a low-concentration brine. During OARO operation, the low-concentration brine effectively reduces the osmotic pressure difference across the membrane, allowing for further concentration of the high-concentration brine under normal operating pressure.
2. Advantages
Energy Saving and Efficiency Improvement: This technology effectively reduces energy consumption by minimizing the osmotic pressure difference, making it particularly suitable for treating high-salinity brine.
High-Performance Membrane Material: Utilizing hollow fiber membranes made from advanced polymers such as PES-TFC, it boasts a pressure resistance of up to 110 bar, excellent pure water permeability (3 L/(m²·h·bar)) and a NaCl salt rejection efficiency of up to 98%.
3. Application Scenarios
Combining traditional reverse osmosis (RO) technology with an optimized advanced oxidation process (OARO) constructs an integrated RO-OARO treatment flow, significantly enhancing the economic benefits and environmental protection of seawater desalination and wastewater treatment.
Suitable for high-salinity wastewater treatment.
