Abstract
INTRODUCTION
STUDY GOAL AND OBJECTIVES
This comprehensive business opportunity report evaluates the global markets
for reverse osmosis (RO) system components. These components include
pretreatment cartridges, pumps, pressure vessels/housings, RO membrane
modules, and ancillary elements such as skids, valves, and gauges. Existing
and potential markets for RO on the global stage are identified. The goals are
to provide meaningful information, unbiased analysis, and an assessment of the
roles that RO systems can play now and in the future of water treatment
technology. Twenty-nine countries' water needs are evaluated in four global
regions.
The heart of an RO system is the membrane module. Though many different
polymer types of semipermeable membrane are possible, the commercial market
consists primarily of thin-film composite polyamide formed into a spiral-wound
configuration. Improved low-pressure membranes, large-diameter membranes, and
non-fouling membranes have been important technology trends. Currently, a
number of new materials types are in development.
Pressure vessels/housings are critical elements in the successful operation of
RO and nanofiltration (NF), or membrane softening, systems.
Fiberglass-reinforced plastic and stainless-steel pressure vessels are the
predominant types associated with industrial and municipal RO systems. RO
operation tends to fall into three distinct operating pressure ranges. The
low-pressure applications are in the 40 psi to 65 psi range. The mid-range
operating pressure for brackish water and wastewater is generally about 150
psi to 250 psi. High pressure RO is for seawater desalination and tends to be
in the 800 psi to 1,200 psi range. Pressure vessels are designed to last for
the lifetime of the system, or about three to four changes of membranes.
Using membrane or depth filter cartridges prior to RO maximizes pure water
production and minimizes the costs associated with chemical additives.
Cartridges used for RO pretreatment can be depth filters, dead-end membrane
microfilters or microfiltration (MF) operated in crossflow. With proper
pretreatment, the RO system can meet design specifications, resulting in
optimum performance and the lowest overall expenditure.
Although pumps used in RO systems represent a relatively small percentage of
total system cost, they must be selected carefully to avoid inefficient
operation, downtime, or reduced productivity and return on investment. The
choice of a proper pump is especially important in seawater desalination
applications because of the corrosive atmosphere and highly demanding process
conditions. Positive displacement plunger pumps or centrifugal pumps are most
commonly used in RO applications. Booster pumps, a much smaller market, can be
used in situations where normal system pressure is low, but needs to be
increased.
Numerous ancillary and miscellaneous components are needed to complete the
construction of a large, complex RO system. Depending on system size and
application, these may include valves, gauges, computer controls, hoses,
piping, plugs, racks, skids, holding tanks, manifolds, control panels,
conductivity meters, float switches, metering equipment, and tanks for
chemicals. What type and how many of these components are used in a particular
plant depend on the site and size of the RO system.
For RO consumables, membranes and filters, new as well as replacement sales
are considered in this report. As far as possible, adjustments and
normalizations for currency evaluations have been made.
REASONS FOR DOING THE STUDY
The need for pure water is a problem of global proportions. With each passing
year, the quality of the planet' s water measurably deteriorates, presenting
challenges for the major users: the municipal, industrial, military, and
agriculture/environmental sectors. Water treatment has become an area of
global concern as individuals, communities, industries, nations, and their
national institutions strive for ways to keep this essential resource
available and suitable for use. RO systems have, over the past 30 years,
emerged as an effective solution to transform saline, brackish, and
contaminated water into a useable and/or potable product. The RO technology
sector still has areas of promising activity and a market for replacement and
upgraded equipment.
INTENDED AUDIENCE
This report is designed to be as comprehensive as possible. It is created to
be usable by a broad audience of business, technical, and regulatory
practitioners on a global scale. This document is an information source on the
industry, a reference manual on an advanced technology and its system
components, and a resource that provides information to decision-makers who
need to stay abreast of the state of the art.
This report presents analysis and forward-thinking knowledge that will be of
advantage to manufacturers, suppliers, and to local, state, and the federal
government as well as foreign governments. Engineers, utilities, and corporate
planners will benefit in accessing the global components and demands for RO
systems.
SCOPE OF REPORT
This study is divided into specific system component chapters dealing with the
RO membranes, the pressure vessels/housings, the cartridge filters/prefilters,
the pumps, and other ancillary components such as valves, gauges, skids,
racks, piping, manifolds, computer controls, and piping needed to complete a
functional system. Quantitative evaluations are given for the major market
segments, historically and for a 5-year horizon. The global scope of the RO
market is identified within four major geographical regions with information
on some 29 countries evaluated as to economics, demographics, and water needs.
Costs of consulting, engineering, and real estate are excluded from system
costs. NF is considered as a membrane "softening" process or a divalent or
trivalent ion-removal technique that is a subset of RO.
The RO market in this study is centered on purified water produced for
municipal, industrial, military, and agriculture/environmental markets. It
does not address wastewater issues, with the exception of wastewater as an
integral part of a reuse and recycle system.
METHODOLOGY
Both primary and secondary research methodologies were used. Research for this
report began with a re-analysis of the available technical and business
literature, as well as an evaluation of the personal records of the water
treatment industry available to the author. Conversations with industry
experts and company representatives and a review of their published works
provide the backbone for an evaluation of the RO equipment water treatment
industry. Other sources of information include product literature from RO
equipment suppliers, patent information, and annual reports.
Growth rates of RO system components are not the same for all world regions
and are not increasing from the same base. Common to all regions, however, is
that sales of RO technology are growing faster than the gross domestic
products (GDPs) of countries installing the systems and more rapidly than the
industries that use them. Forecasts in this report are based on announced
projects and anticipated capacity additions over the next 5 years.
Sales dollars are as received by membrane manufacturers and converted to U.S.
dollars. Equipment costs such as pumps, motors, pressure vessels, and
pretreatment are evaluated separately. Post-treatment, civil works, real
estate, engineering costs, computer automation, and installation are not
included. Costs are adjusted to reflect U.S. dollars. Currency conversions are
normalized as well as possible. Much of the historic information is from BCC
data.
INFORMATION SOURCES
The information sources for this study include online research, patent
literature, technical journals, and interviews with principals in the
industry. In evaluating the global market for water treatment using RO,
information was obtained from the U.S. Department of Commerce; U.S. Department
of State; Aquastat, the United Nation' s global water information system; and
publications from the International Desalination Association, European
Desalination Association, and the Middle East Desalination Research Center.
Projections for each market are made in terms of constant dollars. Historical
values are for the year given.
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