The increasing world population, industrialization, and climate change are putting significant pressure on clean water resources. One of the most effective and technological solutions in the fight against water scarcity is Seawater Desalination Systems, which transform oceans and seas into an unlimited source of drinking and usable water.
As Artemis Arıtım, we provide reliable and economical solutions aimed at meeting all types of water needs, from industrial facilities to municipalities, tourism enterprises to residential areas, and agricultural activities, with the latest technology Seawater Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) Systems.
What is Seawater Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) System and How Does It Work?
Seawater Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) is a purification technology based on membrane filtration that operates on a nano scale, used to separate salts and minerals dissolved in water, as well as bacteria, viruses, and all other impurities through pre-treatment processes.
The seawater purification system essentially consists of three main stages:
1. Pre-treatment
This is the most critical stage to extend the lifespan of the membranes, which are the heart of the reverse osmosis system, and to maintain their efficiency. Seawater is conditioned physically and chemically before entering high-pressure pumps and membranes. The aim of this stage is to remove suspended solids, particles, organic matter, and biological organisms that could cause fouling or scaling on the membrane surface.
You can click here to access the blog content on Preventing and Controlling Reverse Osmosis Membrane Fouling in Seawater Desalination Systems.
- Physical Filtration: Particles, bacteria, viruses, and turbidity in the water are removed using sand and multimedia filters and/or Ultrafiltration (UF) / Microfiltration (MF) systems for more precise purification.
- Chemical Dosage:To prevent mineral accumulation (scaling) on membrane surfaces, a antiscalant dosage is applied. Additionally, disinfection processes are implemented to prevent bacteria and pathogens from damaging the membrane.
2. High Pressure and Reverse Osmosis
Seawater that has undergone pre-treatment is pressurized through high-pressure pumps to exceed the natural osmotic pressure of seawater (approximately 50-55 bar). The pressurized water is fed into housings containing semi-permeable SWRO membranes. These membranes allow the passage of water molecules (H2O) while rejecting more than 99% of dissolved salts and other impurities such as sodium (Na+), chloride (Cl−), and magnesium (Mg2+). - Product Water (Permeate): This is the pure water produced by passing through the reverse osmosis membrane.
- Concentrated Wastewater (Brine/Reject): This is the water that does not pass through the membrane, where salts, minerals, and other impurities are concentrated.
3. Post-treatment
The pure product water obtained from reverse osmosis may undergo additional processes depending on its intended use. - Ultra Pure Water Production: The product water produced by reverse osmosis can be passed through reverse osmosis again to obtain more precisely purified water for certain industrial needs.
- Remineralization and pH Adjustment: Especially if it will be used as drinking water, minerals such as calcium and magnesium are added at the end of the seawater treatment device to reduce the corrosive properties of the water and to add essential minerals for human health, and the pH level is adjusted.
- Disinfection: A final disinfection step such as UV disinfection, ozonation, or chlorination is applied to prevent microbial growth during storage and distribution.
Basic Components of Seawater Treatment Systems
A seawater treatment system consists of components that work in harmony.Many employees consist of high-tech products and equipment:- **Seawater Feed Pumps:** These are feed pumps that are resistant to the corrosive effects of seawater and meet the water demand at the desired pressure for pre-treatment and reverse osmosis.
- **Pre-Treatment Units:** Coagulation systems, sand filters, disc filters, cartridge filters, UF/MF systems, etc.
- **High-Pressure Pumps:** These are the most energy-consuming and critical components of the system. They can raise the water to high pressures of 60-70 bar to overcome the necessary osmotic pressure. They are also produced from specially designed Duplex/Super Duplex stainless steel materials that are resistant to the corrosive effects of seawater and high pressure.
- **Reverse Osmosis Membranes and Modules (Pressure Vessels):** The most critical element where purification occurs in seawater treatment plants is polyamide-based spiral-wound reverse osmosis membranes. Manufacturers offer various options in areas such as high salt removal and energy efficiency. The high-pressure resistant tubes that house the reverse osmosis membranes are also called membrane housings. These tubes can be produced to withstand pressures of up to 80 bar.- **Energy Recovery Devices (ERD):** These are an important part of modern seawater treatment systems. They recover the high-pressure energy from the concentrated wastewater line to assist in pressurizing the incoming raw seawater. These devices significantly reduce operating costs by decreasing the system's total energy consumption by **40-60%**.- **Control and Automation System (PLC & SCADA):** This is an automation panel that monitors all parameters of the system (pressure, flow, conductivity, pH, etc.) in real-time, manages valves and pumps, and provides secure operations that can be accessed remotely if desired.### Application AreasSeawater treatment systems are reliable wherever the clean water source is limited or unavailable.provides a sustainable solution: - Municipalities and Cities: Main or supporting water source for drinking and utility water networks.
- Industrial Facilities: Supply of high-quality process water for refineries, power plants, chemical, mining operations, and manufacturing industry.
- Tourism Sector: Continuous water supply for hotels, resorts, and pools, especially on islands and coastal areas.
- Agricultural Irrigation: Production of irrigation water for modern agricultural practices in areas experiencing water scarcity.
- Energy and Oil Platforms: Meeting the water needs of offshore platforms or coastal energy facilities.
- Residences and Sites: Production of clean water from desalinated seawater to meet the water needs of residences with limited or no access to network water.
- Ships and Shipyards: Provision of utility water for ships in open seas and basic water needs in shipyards.
Click here to access the blog content titled Sustainable Solution in Maritime: Seawater Treatment Systems for Ship Washing Water in Floating Pools.
How Do We Offer Seawater Treatment Systems for Your Use?
As Artemis Treatment, we provide not just a system in your seawater treatment projects, but an engineering solution by accurately identifying your real needs.
- Expert Project and Engineering: Our experienced project engineers conduct detailed studies to design the most suitable system with high energy efficiency based on raw water characteristics and your needs. A system projection is created, and the quality of the water to be produced is determined. All details of the system are created with flow diagrams, P&ID, automation, operating costs, and three-dimensional (3D) drawings.
- High Efficiency Technology: We use the latest technology high-efficiency, durable pumps, energy recovery devices, and high-efficiency membranes to minimize your energy costs.
- Quality Materials and Equipment: We establish long-lasting and smoothly operating systems with corrosion-resistant stainless steel (duplex, super duplex) materials and equipment from world-leading brands.
- Turnkey Solutions: We manage all processes for you, including exploration, project design, manufacturing, automation, quality testing, assembly, commissioning, and operator training.
- After-Sales Support: We are always by your side regarding technical service, periodic maintenance, and spare parts supply.
