TAPPI TIP 0416-07:2015

Reverse osmosis (RO) technology is consistently improving, making it feasible to reduce the cost of boiler feedwater make up treatment in an increasing number of systems. RO systems have their greatest economic advantage where the dissolved solids content of the raw water is high because the cost of treating water by RO is relatively independent of dissolved solids in the water supply. By contrast, ion exchange costs change nearly in proportion to the dissolved solids content of the water supply. to determine if RO will provide economic benefit in any given mill, it is necessary to perform a thorough technical and economic analysis.

This document describes a typical reverse osmosis system and discusses the various capital and operating costs that need to be considered when evaluating the potential economic benefits of an RO system.