Increasing efficiency and quality in municipal wastewater recycling.

Reducing the energy consumption of a reverse osmosis operation while maintaining the permeate quality is a delicate balancing act. Municipal wastewater treatment plants often use conventional anti-fouling brackish water membranes to improve operational stability. However, these membranes have high rejection rates and are not energy efficient.

Aquaporin and PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency, are partnering to develop the world’s first biomimetic low-energy Aquaporin Inside® membrane demonstration for NEWater. NEWater is one of Singapore’s four National Taps and a key pillar in building a diversified and sustainable water supply, producing ultra-clean, high-grade reclaimed water.

Aquaporin’s solution is the Aquaporin Inside® CLEAR series. Utilizing biomimicry, advanced membrane chemistry and smart element design, Aquaporin Inside® CLEAR membranes bring energy efficiency, stable operation and high permeate quality to municipal reverse osmosis wastewater recycling.

Lower pressure reduces energy use by 30%. A 30% reduction in energy consumption results in important potential benefits for companies and local authorities running municipal wastewater recycling operations in Singapore. At a 100,000 cubic meters a day wastewater treatment plant, Aquaporin Inside® CLEAR Plus BWRO membranes could deliver savings of more than 4,000,000 kWh per year compared to conventional membranes, while still ensuring high permeate quality.

This would enable plant operators to reduce operating costs and lower carbon footprint, while helping municipalities increase resilience to energy shortages and price fluctuations – which are all important considerations when tackling the water challenges of the 21st century.