RO (reverse osmosis) desalination plant

RO is not just a technology, it is a vital system that, without proper chemical management, becomes a cost-effective operating trap.

In this expert guide, we cover everything about RO desalination—from the basics to the chemical challenges and practical solutions—in simple, actionable language. We also show you how to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and extend membrane life with expert services.

Why read this article?

✅ Get a deep understanding of how RO desalination works

✅ Get a clear understanding of its advantages and disadvantages in industrial applications

✅ Learn about the industries that use RO the most and why

✅ Expert solutions for controlling fouling, corrosion, and membrane chemical washing

What is RO water desalination?

RO stands for Reverse Osmosis. A physical-chemical process that uses water to remove salts, minerals, organic and microbial contaminants.

How RO water desalination works:

• Input water is directed under high pressure (typically 15 to 80 bar) towards a semi-permeable membrane.
• This membrane allows only water molecules to pass through — and keeps ions, salts and contaminants in the effluent (reject).

The effluent (permeate) has a very low TDS (even less than 50 ppm).

✅This technology operates without the need for heat or regeneration chemicals, and for this reason, it is the most widely used water treatment method in the industry.

Advantages of RO desalination — Why is it so popular?

1- High reliability and advanced technology

• RO has been used in various industries for decades — and is known as a stable and reliable technology.

2- Relatively low energy consumption (compared to thermal methods)

• Especially in small and medium capacities, RO is a more economical option than MED or MSF.

3- High flexibility in capacity and effluent water quality

• Systems can be designed from small (1 cubic meter per day) to very large (1000+ cubic meters per day).
• By adjusting the pressure and membrane type, the effluent water quality can be customized for each industry.

4- No need for regeneration chemicals (such as ion exchange resins)

• Unlike resin systems, RO does not require acid or soda for regeneration and only requires anti-scale and periodic cleaning.

5- Ability to combine with other technologies

• RO can be used as a pre-treatment for EDI (to produce ultrapure water) or post-treatment for low-quality water.

Disadvantages and challenges of RO desalination — What causes membranes to fail?

1- Extreme sensitivity to inlet water quality

• The presence of hardness (calcium, magnesium), silica, iron, manganese and organic matter in the inlet water → leads to fouling on the membrane.

2- Membrane fouling (Fouling)

• Biological fouling (Biofouling) — growth of bacteria on the membrane surface
• Colloidal fouling — fine suspended particles that cover the membrane
• Organic fouling — oil, grease, humic substances

3- Need for strong pre-treatment

• Without sand filters, activated carbon, cartridge filters and anti-fouling injections, the life of the membranes is greatly reduced.

4- High TDS wastewater production

• Typically 25-50% of the input water is disposed of as wastewater, which is challenging in water-scarce areas.

5- Membrane replacement cost

• Any industrial membrane can be expensive and if it becomes fouled or clogged, its lifespan is reduced from 3-5 years to less than 1 year!

In which industries is RO desalination used and why?

1- Oil and gas refineries

• → Why?
• Need for low TDS water for injection into wells (Water Injection)
• Use in boilers and steam systems - Prevent scale and corrosion
• Cost reduction by using seawater or brackish water in the area

2- Thermal power plants and power generation

• → Why?
• Production of high purity boiler feed water
• Cheaper replacement for municipal water or groundwater with high hardness
• Possibility of using seawater in coastal areas

3- Food and pharmaceutical industries

• → Why?
• Production of high quality water for production and washing processes
• Compliance with health standards (FDA, WHO, GMP)

4- Steel and metallurgical industries

• → Why?
• Use in cooling systems and cooling towers
• Prevention of scale in heat exchangers and pipes

5- Semiconductor and electronics industries

• → Why?
• Ultrapure water (UPW) production with RO + EDI combination
• High sensitivity to metal ions and suspended particles

Specialized solutions of Abrizan Company (Mitreh brand) for RO desalination

We increase the efficiency of your system.

Accurate detection of the type of sediment with Abrizan's specialized laboratory

Before each action, our laboratory team:

• Takes a sample of the sediment or incoming water
• Detects the type of sediment with XRD, SEM, ICP methods (calcium carbonate? calcium sulfate? silica? iron?)
• Based on the result, recommends a specific Mitreh formulation, not a generic product!

Antiscalant injection — Prevents the formation of new sediment

- Mitreh products for control of:

• Calcium and magnesium carbonate
• Calcium and barium sulfate
• Silica and heavy metals

- Ability to work in a wide pH range and high temperatures

Periodic chemical cleaning of membranes — with specialized Mitreh cleaners

• Acidic and alkaline membrane cleaning solutions based on mineral compounds
• Acidic and alkaline membrane cleaning solutions based on organic compounds
• Special membrane detergent solution to remove microbial contaminants, biofilms and other organic materials
• Standard cleaning protocol: precise time, dosage, temperature and flow rate — supervised by our technical team

Protection of membranes with anti-corrosion and pH control

• Injection of anti-corrosion pH regulator solution to adjust the pH of the inlet water — prevent corrosion of pipes and fittings
• Use of Mitreh-Corrosion Inhibitor to protect carbon steel and stainless steel

Periodic monitoring and performance reporting

After each cleaning, a complete report of:

• Reduction of operating pressure
• Increase in water flow (Permeate Flow)
• Reduction in TDS of outlet water
• Increase in system efficiency

All Mitreh products:

• Compliant with API, ASTM, ISO standards
• No damage to membranes (compatible with PA, TFC, Cellulose Acetate)
• Available as ready-to-use solution or powder — with application instructions

When should membranes be flushed? — Warning Signs

• 10-15% increase in inlet pressure
• 10-20% decrease in permeate flow
• Increase in TDS of the permeate water
• Increase in reject flow
• Unpleasant odor or algae growth in the permeate tank

Water purifier’s golden tip:

Don’t wait until the system stops working! Periodic flushing (every 3-6 months) can double the life of the membranes.

Abrizan Specialized Services for RO Water Desalination

✅Free consultation with the laboratory:

• Send water or sediment sample → Free analysis → Formulation proposal

✅On-site chemical washing:

• Presence of a specialist team in your project — Implementation of a standard protocol — Performance report

✅Supply of Mitreh products:

• Anti-scaling — Cleaning — Anti-corrosion — pH control
• Shipping to all parts of Iran — with Persian implementation guide

✅Operational training for operators:

• How to inject materials — Control parameters — Washing schedule

[Request free technical consultation and analysis - Direct contact with a sales expert]

Final summary:

RO water desalination is a powerful technology — but without proper chemical management, it becomes a source of cost and trouble.

Abrizan Industrial Research Company with the Mitreh brand, relying on experience, laboratory and expert implementation team, is ready to be by your side.