PUB Singapore is Testing Dow's 16-inch FILMTEC Membrane Module

Dow Water Solutions and PUB, Singapore's national water agency, signed an agreement in October to test-bed Dow's next-generation FILMTECT membranes for use in water reclamation.

The joint collaborative research effort, which commenced at PUB's Bedok NEWater plant, is expected to validate preliminary data indicating that Dow's newer 16-inch FILMTEC membrane modules are more efficient in water reclamation than current standard 8-inch modules. Once validated, the next-generation membrane technology will allow for more efficient and affordable water reclamation and reuse processes at large-scale treatment facilities.

The 16-inch FILMTEC Reverse Osmosis membrane elements from Dow have an active surface area of 1,725 square feet - more than four times that of the standard 8-inch element currently used in full-scale reverse osmosis systems for water reuse. The increase in active surface area will greatly decrease the number of membrane elements needed for the same quantity of reclaimed water, reducing the system's footprint and equipment needs and providing capital cost savings for plant operators. The reduction in the number of reverse osmosis elements and trains also is expected to deliver savings in maintenance and operation costs due to a seven-fold decrease in the number of permeate o-ring seals.

The joint effort involved building an advanced reverse osmosis system. PUB and Dow Water Solutions are conducting a controlled parallel study of the 16-inch FILMTEC membranes versus a conventional 8-inch reverse osmosis system to evaluate key aspects of membrane performance. The companies are examining the handling (membrane loading and unloading), transportation and storage of the larger-diameter membranes; ways to balance capital and operating costs; and optimum system design parameters. The system features a secure, remote monitoring data acquisition capability.