One of the main obstacles limiting seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) from becoming a more widespread solution to water shortages is the overall capital and operational costs, partially driven by energy consumption required for the SWRO process. Since its inception, however, the power requirement for SWRO has decreased dramatically through numerous factors, including improved RO membrane performance, the introduction of energy recovery systems, and improved design practices and efficiency. While many of these solutions relate to technological advances, membrane system design can be optimized during the design stage and maximize total cost savings of using SWRO.

Improving design practice of SWRO to reduce power consumption requires a thorough analysis of all components, such as operating conditions, recovery,
system flux, and membrane model selection. This paper presents essential design considerations that impact energy use and strategies for maximizing
total cost savings for SWRO plants.

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