MemEOL

This membrane end-of-life (MemEOL) tool is aimed at promoting better practices in the desalination industry by helping users identify and select the optimum end-of-life option for their used reverse osmosis (RO) membranes. This dynamic and interactive educational tool uses inputs on membrane condition and the relative importance of a number of key criteria to provide recommendation and further information about available end-of-life options.

As user feedback is obtained, and more available end-of-life options are identified and characterised, this tool will become a powerful source of information for membrane users. Ultimately, this tool will include a membrane reuse database, which will allow users to find and contact groups with surplus membrane supplies, thus promoting and simplifying direct membrane reuse. This tool has a significant focus on the Australian desalination industry, but the primary information is highly applicable to countries around the world. Additionally, as the data sources for this tool are not case specific, it should only be considered an educational tool aimed at providing preliminary recommendations to users.

• Questions
• Recommendations
• Feedback

Do you suspect there is any physical damage to the membranes that would prevent them from being reused?

No Yes

• Membrane damage

What is the tested permeability of your membranes (LMH/bar)?

Tested permeability (LMH/bar):

• Find out more about standard testing methods.

What is the tested NaCl rejection of your membranes? (% NaCl rejection)

NaCl rejection (% NaCl rejection):

• membrane testing fact sheet

Please order the following criteria in the order of importance for your project (drag and drop):

• Minimal Financial Impact
• Low Project Complexity
• Minimal Landfill Impact
• Positive Public Perception

• Find out more about the assessment criteria

Submit

Based on your inputs, the optimum end-of-life scenario for your used membrane is:

Disposal in local landfill

Energy recovery through incineration

Energy recovery though syngas production

Energy recovery through use as a coke substitute in Electric Arc Furnaces

Material recycling

Chemical conversion to an ultrafiltration membrane and then reuse

Direct membrane reuse

Direct reuse as a high quality seawater RO membranes

Direct reuse as a high quality brackishwater RO membranes

Direct reuse as a medium quality brackishwater RO membranes

Direct reuse as a low quality brackishwater RO membranes

Direct reuse as a medium quality nanofiltration membranes

NaCl rejection range (%)	Permeability range (l.m-2.h-1.bar-1)	Designation	Action	Estimated reuse lifespan (yrs)
99.9 - 99.6	> 0.45	High quality SWRO	Direct reuse as SWRO possible in normal applications	2 –5
99.7 - 99.2	> 1.6	High quality BWRO	Direct reuse as BWRO possible in normal applications	2 – 3
99.2 – 98	> 1.6	Medium quality BWRO	Direct reuse as BWRO in standard applications possible	1 – 2
98 – 96	> 1	Low quality BWRO	Direct reuse as BWRO in harsh applications where regular replacement is required	1
96 – 80	> 5	Medium quality NF	Direct reuse as NF membrane possible	-
< 96	< 5	Unsuitable for RO or NF	Membrane suitable for UF conversion.	-

A suitable alternative is:

Disposal in local landfill

Compatible with plastic components	Yes
Compatible with fibreglass components	Yes
Available in Australia	Yes
Available Globally	Yes
Available in Australia	Yes
Manual disassembly required	No

Landfill is currently the industry standard for disposal of end-of-life reverse osmosis membranes. Due to their mostly polymeric composition, membranes are considered inert municipal solid waste in the case of landfill disposal, with no degradation over a measureable time period. Therefore, disposal in landfill has the highest environmental impact of all the considered options, and should be avoided where possible; however, it is the simplest option, with minimal cost.

Energy recovery through incineration

Energy recovery though syngas production

Energy recovery through use as a coke substitute in Electric Arc Furnaces

Material recycling

Chemical conversion to an ultrafiltration membrane and then reuse

Direct membrane reuse

Direct reuse as a high quality seawater RO membranes

Direct reuse as a high quality brackishwater RO membranes

Direct reuse as a medium quality brackishwater RO membranes

Direct reuse as a low quality brackishwater RO membranes

Direct reuse as a medium quality nanofiltration membranes

NaCl rejection range (%)	Permeability range (l.m-2.h-1.bar-1)	Designation	Action	Estimated reuse lifespan (yrs)
99.9 - 99.6	> 0.45	High quality SWRO	Direct reuse as SWRO possible in normal applications	2 –5
99.7 - 99.2	> 1.6	High quality BWRO	Direct reuse as BWRO possible in normal applications	2 – 3
99.2 – 98	> 1.6	Medium quality BWRO	Direct reuse as BWRO in standard applications possible	1 – 2
98 – 96	> 1	Low quality BWRO	Direct reuse as BWRO in harsh applications where regular replacement is required	1
96 – 80	> 5	Medium quality NF	Direct reuse as NF membrane possible	-
< 96	< 5	Unsuitable for RO or NF	Membrane suitable for UF conversion.	-

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