ASSESSING REVERSE OSMOSIS TECHNOLOGY IN BOILER FEED WATER TREATMENT

Abstract

Reverse osmosis (RO) has emerged as a leading technology for the purification of boiler feed water in industrial applications, offering an energy-efficient alternative to traditional thermal treatment methods. Since the discovery of asymmetric cellulose-acetate membranes by Loeb and Sourirajan in 1962, RO has revolutionized water treatment processes by effectively separating solvents from solutes through semi-permeable membranes. Prior to this innovation, thermal processes such as vaporization and condensation were the primary methods for boiler feed water purification but suffered from high energy consumption, limiting their commercial viability. Currently, reverse osmosis accounts for approximately 64% of industrial seawater desalination, overshadowing thermal processes which make up only about 34%. Additional membrane-based techniques like membrane distillation, electrodialysis, and nanofiltration also contribute to boiler feed water treatment, though on a smaller scale. This paper reviews the principles and advantages of reverse osmosis technology, highlighting its efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and environmental benefits. The study underscores RO's critical role in modern industrial water management and discusses future trends and challenges in enhancing membrane performance and system sustainability for boiler feed water purification.