An anti-telescoping device or ATD is a plastic device located on the ends of a reverse osmosis membrane element. This device helps to provide structural support to the RO membrane envelopes preventing [..]

In a reverse osmosis system an array describes the physical arrangement of the pressure vessel, e.g., 4:3:1 - 3 stages with 8 total vessels; stage 1 has 4 pressure vessels, stage 2 has 3 pressure vess [..]

An asymmetric membrane is one that is constructed of the same material (cellulose acetate or polyamide) which has an increase in porosity from surface to base. The surface has a dense thin barrier ski [..]

Brackish water is used in reverse osmosis systems. Brackish water is technically defined as water having TDS levels up to 6,000 mg/L, but is generally water that is too salty to be considered potable, [..]

Brine seals are plastic or rubber devices that seal the outside of one end of a spiral wound RO membrane element against the wall of the component housing. Brine seals are designed to prevent by-passi [..]

Cellulose acetate reverse osmosis membranes comprise an asymmetric polymer commonly used in the construction of RO membrane elements (other membrane materials include polyamide and polysulfone). Origi [..]

The concentration factor is the degree that the RO feedwater dissolved solids are concentrated in the brine. Concentration Factor = 1/(1- Y) Where Y = Percentage recovery expressed as a decimal.

Concentration polarization refers to the concentration gradient of salts on the high pressure side of the reverse osmosis membrane surface created by the less than immediate redilution of salts left b [..]

Conversion, sometimes also referred to as recovery refers to the percentage of the RO feedwater which is converted into permeate.

Cross flow separation referes to a filtration process with the feedwater stream running parallel to the filter media and a concentrate stream continuously removing contaminants from the surface media. [..]