Deformed reverse osmosis membrane and low pressure operation

The phenomena of hysteresis described elsewhere in cellulose acetate RO membranes are discussed, in order to show that the pressure normally required by the desalting process produces two effects: one deforming the membrane and the other maintaining the flux through the deformed membrane. This paper shows that the use of independently deformed membranes can permit a lower operating pressure while maintaining the rejection factor and flux in the effluent water.