How RO Antiscalant works?

RO (Reverse Osmosis) system is the most widely used potable water treatment process for removal of impurities such as salts, minerals, and other contaminants. RO membranes are designed with a dense, thin, and semi-permeable layer that allows water molecules to pass through while rejecting dissolved solids and other contaminants. The RO membrane is the heart of the RO plant and plays a critical role in determining the quality and quantity of water produced. The RO membrane operates under high pressure and requires continuous cleaning and maintenance to prevent fouling and scaling. But the major issue that surfaces up in such systems is formation of scales due to the build-up of dissolved minerals and salts on the surface of the RO membrane.

What causes formation of scales in RO membranes?

The level of hardness salts present in the feed water is the foremost reason. When such feed water passes through the RO membrane, concentration of these salts gets precipitated over the surface of the membrane. Overtime deposition of such salts forms scales. This scale formation reduces the effectiveness of the membrane, which ultimately decreases the flow rate of water. In smaller systems, scale formation can be prevented by exchange softening process but in larger systems, it becomes expensive.

RO Antiscalant – Cost Effective Solution

A chemical solution that is fed to the feed water before it enters the RO membrane. What it does is, inhibits the formation and growth of mineral deposits on the surface of the membrane, which are responsible for decrease in water flow and an increase in pressure drop. This antiscalant works as a pre-treatment additive in RO plants. They prevent the RO membranes from scaling and subsequent corrosion, keeping the capacity close to design. It becomes essential to maintain the long-term performance and reliability of the RO membrane.

How it works?

Use of RO Antiscalant increases the solubility of the salts, that includes calcium carbonate, calcium sulphate, barium sulphate, strontium sulphate, calcium fluoride, silica and iron, ensuring that the salt remain in the solution rather than forming scales on the membrane surface.

How does it help RO membrane plants?

• Prevents scaling and fouling, which prolongs operational life of RO membrane
• Improves potable water quality
• Reduces membrane cleaning and maintenance frequency, lowering the operating costs and reducing downtime
• Increases efficiency and productivity of the RO plant

Chemtex manufactures its antiscalants for Reverse Osmosis (RO) Systems, depending upon the type of membrane, quality of feed water and rate of product recovery.

• High pH RO antiscalants to inhibit scales and disperse colloidal particles in cellulose acetate and thin-film membrane separation systems, stable over a wide range of supersaturated salt solution.
• Neutral RO antiscalants reduces membrane fouling within separation systems, effectively controlling inorganic salts, metal hydroxides, and colloids in RO feed water.
• Low pH RO antiscalants eliminate inorganic scales in multiple applications areas. It stabilizes metal ions to prevent metal oxides precipitation and disperses silt and clay particles.

These manufactured formulations are all licensed under FSSAI (Category 99 - Substances added to food). For more information, visit https://www.chemtexltd.com/products-and-solutions/water-treatment-chemicals/ro-chemicals/ro-antiscalant-chemical/.

The name Chemtex depicts Chemical Technology Experts. The early 1970s saw the foundation of Chemtex. And in the following decades, it expanded with its variety of indigenous chemicals and industries catered.