LANXESS’ Liquid Purification Technologies (LPT) business unit (operating in the US as LANXESS Sybron Chemicals) will be showcasing its high water permeability ULP (Ultra Low Pressure) Lewabrane® brand membrane elements at the American Membrane Technology Association (AMTA)’s 2018 Membrane Technology Conference & Exposition in West Palm Beach, Florida, on 12-16 March.
Typical applications of Lewabrane ULP reverse osmosis (RO) membranes are the filtration of drinking water and wastewater.
The new Lewabrane ULP line is available in both four-inch and eight-inch diameter by 40-inch long membrane elements. The eight-inch elements are available with a 400 square foot membrane with a 34 mil spacer using ASD (Alternating Strand Design) geometry designed for improved performance in biofouling environments. The eight-inch ULP line is also available with a 440 square foot membrane with a 28 mil spacer.
The Lewabrane ULP line is designed to offer high water permeability and high micropollutant rejection at low operating pressures. This is especially important in potable water applications where high flow productivity and good salt passage are important process parameters that determine the cost efficiency of the RO process. High water permeability means lower feed pressures, which means less power consumption per 1000 gallons (or 44 m3) of product water. Lewabrane ULP membranes typically require 40% less operational pressure than standard pressure membranes (typically tested at 225 psi and 2000 ppm NaCl).
LANXESS reports the membranes are also an excellent option for reducing microcontaminants in drinking water supplies.