Intake, transfer and high-pressure feed pumping — moving seawater from the intake through pre-treatment to the membranes at the right pressure, with energy recovery and seawater-grade materials.
SWRO Intake & Pre-Treatment for Desalination
Pumping is the energy heart of a desalination intake system. Low-head intake and transfer pumps lift screened seawater through pre-treatment; high-pressure feed pumps then raise it to the 55–70 bar the SWRO membranes need. Variable-speed control, surge protection, energy-recovery devices and seawater-grade materials make the difference between a reliable, efficient plant and a costly one.
From intake lift to high-pressure feed
Low-head, high-flow pumps lift seawater through screening and pre-treatment.
VSDs match flow to demand and soften starts, saving energy.
Air vessels and controlled ramps protect pipework and equipment.
Raise the feed to 55–70 bar for the SWRO membranes.
Pressure-exchanger / turbo ERDs recover 30–40% of the energy.
Super duplex and Cu-Ni wetted parts for long marine life.
Typical engineering envelope
| Item | Typical | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Intake / transfer pumps | Low-head, high-flow | VSD, marine-grade |
| SWRO feed pressure | 55–70 bar | High-pressure pumps |
| Wetted materials | Super duplex / Cu-Ni | Seawater service |
| Energy recovery | PX / turbo ERD | 30–40% energy saving |
| Surge protection | Air vessels / VSD ramp | Protects pipework |
Continue across the SWRO intake & pre-treatment series
A companion stage of the SWRO pre-treatment train.
Read MoreA companion stage of the SWRO pre-treatment train.
Read MoreA companion stage of the SWRO pre-treatment train.
Read MoreA companion stage of the SWRO pre-treatment train.
Read MoreA companion stage of the SWRO pre-treatment train.
Read MoreThe intake-systems hub these stages belong to.
Read MoreOur desalination engineers design the complete intake and pre-treatment train — intake & feed pumping and every stage — to deliver a low-SDI, membrane-safe feed at minimum lifecycle cost.
Our expertise spans multiple industries with sector-specific water treatment solutions.
Explore closely-related topics, equipment and guides
Send your influent analysis and our engineers assess your process and recommend a tailored treatment solution — free, confidential and no obligation.
Select the regulatory standard for your country — it sets which parameters we need for a compliance-aware process assessment.
Required parameters for the chosen standard are flagged on the sample form. You can still submit a partial set and we will advise what else to test.
Your sample is stored against your company so we can track the project. Provide a company name or email as a minimum.