LANXESS Expands Range of Membranes for Reverse Osmosis

Specialty chemicals company LANXESS is expanding its range of membrane elements for reverse osmosis (RO). The new Lewabrane RO ULP line has three product grades available immediately for water treatment. They display higher water permeability than the standard elements, while offering the same high level of rejection of critical substances. The operating pressure required in the pressure vessel is 40% lower, which reduces operating costs. Furthermore, the new membranes are a good option for removing trace elements from wastewater and drinking water.
“The new ULP products are recommended for applications in which a high flow rate, moderate salt rejection and low power consumption are the primary design parameters. Fields of application therefore are the cost-efficient filtration of drinking water and high-tech wastewater treatment,” says Alexander Scheffler, head of membrane business in the LANXESS Liquid Purification Technologies business unit (LPT).
Synthetic organic substances, known as trace elements, can be found in bodies of water in concentrations of a few nanograms to a maximum of a few micrograms per liter. Originating for instance from drugs, household chemicals, industrial chemicals, cosmetic products and crop protection agents, they are introduced into the water system by household and industrial wastewater.
To reduce the formation of organic deposits – i.e. typical biofouling – in wastewater, the ULP membrane uniquely has the most hydrophilic surface of all the Lewabrane product grades. Thanks to this hydrophilic behavior, a thin, protective film of water forms on the membrane surface, which reduces the adsorption of organic substances.