DuPont FilmTec membranes have four main categories: seawater, brackish water, low energy, and nanofiltration. They operate at pressures of 600-1,000 psi and are designed to reject specific contaminants in reverse osmosis systems.
FilmTec reverse osmosis membranes utilize polyamide thin-film composite technology with automated precision fabrication processes. DuPont membrane elements deliver consistent performance across residential, commercial, and industrial water treatment applications. FilmTec membranes provide high salt rejection rates with energy-efficient operation for diverse filtration requirements.
What Are FilmTec Reverse Osmosis Elements and How Do They Work?
FilmTec reverse osmosis elements use polyamide thin-film composite technology with automated precision fabrication that delivers 99.7% salt rejection rates and operates at maximum temperatures of 113°F (45°C).
DuPont FilmTec membrane elements feature polyamide thin-film composite construction with semi-permeable barriers. FilmTec reverse osmosis technology applies pressure to force water molecules through membrane pores while blocking dissolved salts and contaminants. Polyamide thin-film composite membranes provide superior chemical resistance with pH tolerance ranging from 1-13 for cleaning operations. Automated precision element fabrication creates consistent membrane leaf patterns and uniform permeability distribution. FilmTec elements deliver continuous operation temperatures up to 113°F with maximum operating pressures from 600-1,000 psi depending on membrane type. Salt rejection performance exceeds 99% across seawater, brackish water, and low-energy applications.
Which DuPont RO Membrane Types Handle Different Water Applications?
SW30 series membranes operate at 1,000 psi maximum pressure with flow rates up to 6,500 GPD for seawater desalination while BW30 series membranes operate at 600 psi for brackish water applications.
SW30 DuPont reverse osmosis filters deliver exceptional salt rejection rates of 99.4% with maximum operating pressures of 1,000 psi (69 bar). SW30-4040 elements produce 6,500 GPD permeate flow for seawater desalination systems. BW30 FilmTec RO membranes handle brackish water with 33% lower operating pressures at 600 psi maximum. BW30HRLE-440 membranes provide 10,500 GPD flow rates for industrial applications.
ECO series low energy membrane elements reduce operating costs with high flux performance. ECO PRO-400 membranes deliver 11,000 GPD at reduced pressures for commercial systems. NF90 nanofiltration membranes remove divalent ions including calcium and magnesium while allowing monovalent ion passage. NF270 membranes provide selective rejection of organic compounds including TOC and PFAS contaminants. Each membrane type targets specific water quality parameters with optimized pressure requirements for different applications including residential, commercial, and industrial reverse osmosis systems.
How Do FilmTec 75 GPD and FilmTec 100 GPD Membranes Compare?
FilmTec 75 GPD membranes produce 75 gallons per day at 60 psi while FilmTec 100 GPD membranes deliver 100 gallons daily output with similar pressure requirements for residential applications.
FilmTec 75 GPD reverse osmosis membranes operate at 60 psi with 96% salt rejection rates for standard household applications. FilmTec 100 GPD membranes provide 25 gallons additional daily capacity at identical 60 psi operating pressure. Both membrane types utilize polyamide thin-film composite construction with 11-inch length configurations.
Performance comparison table:
| Membrane Type | Daily Output | Pressure | Rejection Rate | Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FilmTec 75 GPD | 75 gallons | 60 psi | 96% | Residential |
| FilmTec 100 GPD | 100 gallons | 60 psi | 96% | Residential/Light commercial |
FilmTec 100 GPD membranes cost 15% more than 75 GPD models but deliver 33% increased production capacity. Both membrane series achieve maximum 77°F operating temperature with pH ranges from 2-11 for continuous operation. Standard residential systems accommodate both membrane sizes with identical housing requirements.
What FilmTec Membrane Specifications Matter for RO System Selection?
FilmTec membrane specifications include operating pressure ranges from 600-1,000 psi, temperature limits of 113°F (45°C), pH ranges of 2-11 for continuous operation, and SDI 5 maximum feed water requirements.
FilmTec membrane selection requires specific technical parameters for optimal performance. Operating pressure specifications determine pump requirements and energy consumption. DuPont FilmTec membranes operate from 600 psi for brackish water applications to 1,000 psi for seawater desalination systems.
Key specification categories:
- Operating pressure requirements: 600 psi brackish water membranes, 1,000 psi seawater elements determine system pump sizing
- Temperature and pH parameters: 113°F maximum operating temperature with pH 2-11 continuous operation range ensures membrane stability
- Feed water quality specifications: SDI 5 maximum silt density index prevents membrane fouling and extends service life
- Flow rate and rejection performance: Daily production capacity from 75 GPD residential to 2,300 L/h commercial applications with 96% salt rejection rates
FilmTec polyamide thin-film composite construction provides consistent performance across pressure ranges. Maximum pressure drop specifications of 15 psig prevent element damage during operation.
Which DuPont FilmTec Membrane Series Works Best for Industrial Applications?
BW30HRLE and ECO series membranes deliver 33% lower pressure operation at 600 psi with 99.5% salt rejection for industrial reverse osmosis systems requiring high efficiency and reduced energy consumption.
DuPont FilmTec industrial membrane selection depends on specific water treatment requirements and operating conditions. BW30HRLE series operates at 600 psig maximum pressure with brackish water applications producing greater than 2,300 L/h permeate flow. ECO series membranes provide high salt rejection at reduced pressure with enhanced fouling protection through 34 mil feed spacers.
Industrial membrane options:
- BW30HRLE-440 high rejection elements: 600 psi operating pressure with excellent silica, boron, nitrate rejection for large-scale municipal systems
- ECO PRO-400 low-pressure membranes: Enhanced contaminant rejection with robust flow rates and 34 mil feed spacer fouling protection
- BW30XFRLE extra fouling resistant membranes: 30% lower pressure operation for challenging waters and wastewaters with improved durability
- SW30HRLE seawater high rejection membranes: 1,000 psi maximum pressure for industrial desalination with optimized water production and permeate quality
FilmTec polyamide thin-film composite construction provides pH cleaning range from 1-13 for effective membrane maintenance. Automated precision fabrication ensures consistent industrial performance across temperature ranges up to 113°F.
How Do Membrane Elements Dimensions Affect DuPont RO System Design?
Membrane elements are available in 2521 (2.5" x 21"), 2540 (2.5" x 40"), 4021 (4" x 21"), and 4040 (4" x 40") configurations with flow rates ranging from 1,500-6,500 GPD depending on application requirements.
DuPont FilmTec membrane dimensions directly determine membrane housing requirements, system footprint, and production capacity. Element diameter affects pressure vessel compatibility while length influences membrane surface area and permeate output. The 2.5-inch diameter elements fit compact residential applications with lower flow demands. The 4-inch elements provide higher membrane area for commercial and industrial reverse osmosis systems requiring greater production volumes.
Membrane Element Dimension Specifications:
| Element Size | Diameter x Length | Flow Rate (GPD) | Application Type | Housing Compatibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2521 | 2.5" x 21" | 1,500-2,400 | Compact residential systems | Standard 2.5" housings |
| 2540 | 2.5" x 40" | 2,400-3,600 | Standard residential RO | Extended 2.5" housings |
| 4021 | 4" x 21" | 3,000-4,500 | Small commercial applications | Compact 4" pressure vessels |
| 4040 | 4" x 40" | 5,000-6,500 | Industrial FilmTec systems | Standard 4" membrane housings |
System designers select membrane dimensions based on available space, required production capacity, and pressure vessel specifications. Larger elements provide higher membrane area but require compatible housing dimensions and adequate system pressure for optimal performance.
What Makes FilmTec Reverse Osmosis Membranes Different from Standard Membranes?
FilmTec reverse osmosis membranes feature iLEC interlocking end caps, 34-mil feed spacers, and oxidative-free manufacturing processes that reduce O-ring leaks by 85% compared to standard RO membranes.
DuPont FilmTec membrane elements incorporate proprietary thin-film composite technology with polyamide membrane construction for enhanced salt rejection and contaminant removal. The automated precision fabrication process ensures consistent membrane performance across all element configurations. FilmTec membranes deliver exceptional durability through oxidative-free manufacturing that prevents membrane degradation during operation.
Advanced engineering features include iLEC interlocking end caps that eliminate O-ring leak risks and reduce system operating costs. The 34-mil feed spacer provides enhanced fouling protection while enabling efficient cleaning of organic materials. FilmTec elements maintain wide pH cleaning tolerance from 1-13, allowing effective cleaning in severe fouling conditions. These technical innovations deliver superior membrane performance compared to conventional reverse osmosis elements, ensuring reliable long-term operation with reduced maintenance requirements and extended service life.
Which DuPont FilmTec Membrane Models Handle High Salinity Water?
SW30-4040 and SEAMAXX-400 membranes process high salinity water at 1,000 psi operating pressure with 99.4% salt rejection for seawater desalination and high-salinity brackish water applications.
DuPont FilmTec produces 4 specialized membrane configurations for high salinity processing including seawater and brackish water with elevated TDS levels. These polyamide thin-film composite membranes operate at maximum pressures from 600-1,000 psi depending on membrane model and application requirements.
High salinity membrane options:
- SW30-4040: Maximum productivity seawater membrane with 1,000 psi operating pressure
- SW30HRLE-400i: High rejection low energy seawater processing at 600 psi
- SEAMAXX-400: Advanced high salinity processing with maximum production capacity
- SW30XLE-400: Extra low energy seawater membrane for reduced operational costs
The SW30-series membranes deliver exceptional salt rejection rates exceeding 99% while maintaining high flow rates for both sea-based and land-based desalination systems. SEAMAXX-400 elements provide extraordinary high productivity with substantial energy consumption savings compared to conventional seawater RO products. These membranes feature automated precision fabrication ensuring consistent performance across all high-salinity applications.
How Do Operating Pressures Affect DuPont Reverse Osmosis Filter Performance?
Operating pressures range from 400 psi for low energy membranes to 1,000 psi for seawater applications and directly determine membrane performance and energy consumption across DuPont FilmTec reverse osmosis systems. Maximum element pressure drops remain constant at 15 psi across all membrane configurations.
DuPont FilmTec membranes operate under 4 distinct pressure classifications based on application requirements and water salinity levels. ECO series low energy membranes function at 400-500 psi for reduced operational costs. BW30 brackish water membrane elements operate at 600 psi maximum operating pressure for municipal and industrial applications. SW30 seawater FilmTec membranes require 1,000 psi operating pressure for high-salinity desalination processes.
Pressure performance impacts 3 critical system parameters including energy consumption, salt rejection rates, and membrane lifespan. Lower pressure membranes reduce pump size requirements and operational expenses by 30-33% compared to conventional systems. Higher pressure applications achieve superior salt rejection exceeding 99% while maintaining consistent flux rates. Operating within specified pressure ranges ensures optimal performance and prevents membrane damage from excessive pressure differentials.
What Feed Water Quality Requirements Apply to FilmTec Membranes?
Maximum feed silt density index (SDI) of 5 applies to all FilmTec membranes with free chlorine concentration limits below 0.1 ppm and turbidity requirements under 1.0 NTU for optimal performance.
4 critical feed water specifications ensure proper membrane operation and extended service life:
- Maximum SDI: 5 for all DuPont FilmTec membrane types
- Free chlorine: <0.1 ppm continuous exposure limit
- Temperature: Maximum 113°F (45°C) all membrane elements
- pH range: 2-11 continuous operation, 1-13 cleaning
Feed water pretreatment becomes essential when source water exceeds these specifications. Sediment filtration reduces SDI values below 5. Carbon filtration removes free chlorine to protect polyamide thin-film composite membranes from oxidative damage. Temperature control prevents thermal degradation above 113°F operating limits.
Selecting the appropriate DuPont FilmTec membrane for reverse osmosis systems requires matching specific membrane elements with operating pressure, flow rate, and contaminant rejection requirements while considering feed water quality, system configuration, and energy efficiency objectives available through AXEON Supply to optimize treatment performance.