ABSTRACT
Reverse Osmosis (RO) processes are generally energy intensive. They are configured in different layouts including single-stage, two-stage, multi-stage, single-pass, and two-pass systems. This chapter discusses advances in the design of RO processes using model-based optimisation techniques for the removal of highly toxic compounds from wastewater and with improved rejection of pollutants, water recovery, and energy efficiency. The removal of the organic compounds, especially N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) from water, is becoming a real challenge due to their low molecular weights and high hydrophilic properties. The permeate reprocessing configuration of an RO process is used to improve the poor rejection of NDMA obtained using a retentate reprocessing configuration. In the literature can be found several attempts to study the influence of permeate and retentate stream recycling options on the RO process performance. RO membrane systems are often used as a network of a number of stages, which include several pressure vessels of membrane modules.
