RO and NF Cost Comparison

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We start with raw water qualities of the same characteristics and flow rate to be treated. The question: What is the process to choose between: Nano filtration or Reverse Osmosis in terms of operation and maintenance costs?

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7 Answers

  1. Your first selection criteria would be to determine the quality requirements of the end products, principally in terms of hardness and sodium. NF is also called the softening membrane process because it preferentially removes CA and MG hardness (>90%) but removes NA and CL at 50%. RO removes all ionic constituents at >90-98%. That's why RO membranes are generally more expensive than NF membranes and you should select NF is it meets your quality requirements without an overkill. I think you get the picture.

     

  2. Before you can answer this, you need to know what the water quality is. This will allow the manufacturers of NF and RO design the system to your expectations and water quality. You will need to use a certified water quality lab. This data can be sent to the manufacturers. Let me know if I can be f further assistance. 

     

  4. We three agree! Your choice will be dependent on water quality required. Operation and cost will be similar.  NF operation could be slightly lower due to lower energy requirements. Generally speaking RO will meet NF requirements, however, NF will not meet RO requirements.

  5. Of course, an important consideration is the relative concentrations of mono and multivalent ions in the feedwater. Most RO membrane manufacturers make NF membranes, but their properties vary with regard to the specific rejection of multivalent ions and passage of monovalent ions.

  7. Hi Carlos,

    the NF and RO filtration capabilities are rather different. 

    NF is mostly used to reject divalent ions while RO are used to reject both divalent and singly charged ions. 

    Depending on what is your ultimate treatment goals - the choice of technology between the two should be very clear for specific cases. 

    Filtration Spectrum Chart 

    https://www.units-of-measure.com/2019/06/osmonics-filtration-spectrum-chart.html 

    Regards,

    Junfeng