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Example ApplicationDesalination

Containerised Seawater Desalination (DAF + SWRO)

This is an illustrative scenario showing how Reynolds & Bauhm equipment can be configured for this application. Every site has unique requirements — contact us for a solution tailored to your specific seawater and demand.

Process Requirements & Constraints

A remote coastal site with no reliable freshwater supply needs ~72 m³/day of potable water from an open seawater intake at 35,000 mg/L TDS. The intake carries seasonal algae, oil and suspended solids that would foul membranes within weeks. The whole plant has to ship in a container, run on a generator, and produce drinking-quality water with the lowest practical energy per cubic metre.

Key Performance Targets
3 m³/h
Permeate
45%
Recovery
99.5%
Salt rejection
<150
Product TDS mg/L
3.4
kWh/m³
40ft
Single container

Treatment Approach

Step-by-step configuration from raw seawater intake to potable storage.

01

Intake & Coarse Strainer

Seawater is screened to protect the downstream plant. Feed pump lifts to the DAF at a controlled rate.

02

DAF Pre-Treatment

Coagulation and dissolved-air flotation remove algae, oil and suspended solids — the membrane-protection barrier that holds a low SDI even through a bloom.

03

5-Micron Cartridge Filtration

Final particulate polish ahead of the high-pressure pump, protecting the membranes from any carry-over.

04

SWRO at 60 bar + Energy Recovery

Six 8040 SWRO elements at 60 bar produce permeate at 45% recovery. A PX pressure exchanger recovers energy from the concentrate, cutting specific energy to ~3.4 kWh/m³.

05

Remineralisation & Storage

Permeate is remineralised and pH-trimmed to potable spec, then sent to the product tank. Online conductivity confirms quality continuously.

Equipment Configuration

The critical equipment that defines performance — sized for the duty, not the full bill of materials.

Lamella DAF Cell + Saturator

High-rate flotation with 5.5 bar air saturator and oil-free compressor — algae, oil and solids removal.

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5-Micron Cartridge Filter

SS 316L housing with pleated PP cartridges protecting the membranes.

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High-Pressure Pump (Duplex)

~18.5 kW multistage pump in duplex stainless for the 60 bar seawater duty.

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PX Energy Recovery + SWRO Array

Pressure exchanger plus 6×8040 SWRO membranes in FRP vessels, with CIP provision.

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Critical equipment shown, not the full BOM. The complete itemised bill of materials, P&ID and FAT pack are issued during detailed design.

Performance Achieved

Representative performance for this equipment configuration on 35,000 mg/L seawater.

3 m³/h
Permeate (72 m³/day)
45%
Recovery
99.5%
Salt rejection
<150
Product TDS mg/L
3.4
kWh/m³ with ERD
>95%
Algae removal (DAF)

Related Treatment Processes

How this scenario connects to the wider desalination capability.

Apply This Configuration to Your Site

Our engineers will adapt this configuration to your seawater analysis, potable demand and site power — and ship a factory-tested container.

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