DESALT Electrodialysis Reversal (EDR): A High-Efficiency Solution for RO Reject Concentration

As industries and municipalities rely more heavily on Reverse Osmosis (RO) for water purification, the challenge of managing RO reject, a concentrated brine stream, becomes increasingly urgent. DESALT Electrodialysis Reversal (EDR) technology offers a modern, energy-efficient, and cost-effective method to concentrate RO reject while maximizing water recovery.

Why RO Reject Is a Problem

RO reject contains high levels of dissolved salts and contaminants. Handling this brine is:

• Expensive due to transportation and disposal

• Environmentally unsustainable

• Operationally inefficient

To overcome these issues, DESALT EDR provides a sustainable approach to reduce brine volume and recover reusable water.

How DESALT Electrodialysis Reversal Works

DESALT EDR uses an electric current and ion-exchange membranes to separate ions from water. The process generates:

• A concentrated brine stream

• A purified water stream that can be returned to the RO system

The technology achieves up to 95% water recovery, significantly reducing waste.

Membranes That Enable Efficient Ion Separation

EDR systems use:

• Cation exchange membranes (CEM) to remove positive ions

• Anion exchange membranes (AEM) to remove negative ions

These membranes selectively transport ions and produce consistent, high-quality desalination results.

What Influences EDR Performance

Key factors that affect efficiency include:

• Feed water salinity and composition

• Membrane fouling

• Operating current density

• Temperature and pH levels

Proper system design and maintenance ensure long-term reliability.

Advantages of Using DESALT EDR

DESALT offers several important benefits:

• Low energy use compared to thermal evaporators

• High water recovery for reuse

• Modular and scalable design

• Lower operating costs

• Environmentally sustainable performance

Where DESALT EDR Is Used

DESALT EDR supports a wide range of applications:

• Municipal RO reject treatment

• Industrial wastewater concentration

• Power plant water treatment

• Mining and mineral processing

Its flexibility makes it suitable for nearly any high-salinity water challenge.

DESALT vs. Other Technologies

Thermal Evaporation: Effective but extremely energy-intensive.Membrane Filtration (UF/NF): Useful for refining water but less efficient for brine concentration.

DESALT strikes the ideal balance—providing performance, low cost, and sustainable operation.

Conclusion

DESALT Electrodialysis Reversal (EDR) is a powerful technology for reducing RO reject volumes, lowering operating costs, and improving overall water recovery. Its energy efficiency and scalability make it an ideal solution for modern water treatment challenges.

FAQs

1. Can DESALT treat different types of RO reject?

   Yes. It can be customized for various salinity levels and industrial applications.

2. How does DESALT compare in energy use?

   It uses far less energy than thermal concentration methods.

3. Which industries benefit most?

   Municipal water plants, manufacturing, mining, and power generation facilities.