Method and apparatus for high efficiency reverse osmosis operation

Abstract

Unique ultrapure water produced by reverse osmosis equipment. The high purity or ultrapure water is characterized by extremely low levels of Total Organic Carbon that are achieved after a single pass reverse osmosis process step. The feedwater to the reverse osmosis process is preferably pretreated to remove hardness and non-hydroxide alkalinity by simultaneous removal in a weak acid cation exchange resin. The process includes ionization of sparingly ionizable components, such as silica, by adjusting the pH up to about 10.5 or higher. The passage of boron, silica, and TOC is therefore significantly reduced. Consequently, the high purity water is produced with high recovery rates from the entering feedwater. Therefore, a unique ultrapure water product is provided that significantly reduces costs for post-treatment in downstream polishing steps.

93 . Water produced according to the process of claim  1 , said water being the product stream of said process, said feedwater stream further comprising boron, and wherein said product stream is characterized by having a boron content of less than about two percent (2%) of the boron content of said feedwater stream.  
     
     
         94 . Water produced according to the process of claim  1 , said water being the product stream of said process, said feedwater stream further comprising boron, and wherein said product stream is characterized by having a boron content of about one and one-half percent (1.5%), or less, of the boron content of said feedwater stream.  
     
     
         95 . Water produced according to the process of claim  1 , said water being the product stream of said process, said feedwater stream further comprising boron, and wherein said product stream is characterized by having a boron content of about one percent (1%), or less, of the boron content of said feedwater stream.  
     
     
         96 . Water produced according to the process of claim  1 , said water being the product stream of said process, said feedwater stream further comprising silica, and wherein said product stream is characterized by having a silica content of less than about 0.05% of the silica content of said feedwater stream.  
     
     
         97 . Water produced according to the process of claim  1 , said water being the product stream of said process, said feedwater stream further comprising bacteria, and wherein said product stream is characterized by having essentially zero bacteria content.  
     
     
         98 . Water produced according to the process of claim  1 , said water being the product stream of said process, said feedwater stream further comprising live viruses, and wherein said product stream is characterized by having essentially zero live viruses therein.