What are DuPont FilmTec RO Membranes?

DuPont FilmTec RO membranes are high-performance reverse osmosis elements manufactured using proprietary polyamide thin-film composite technology. These membrane elements operate at pressures between 600-1200 psi and temperatures up to 113°F (45°C) with salt rejection rates exceeding 99.5%.

Polyamide thin-film composite" membranes consist of 3 distinct layers: ultra-thin polyamide barrier layer (0.2 µm), microporous polysulfone interlayer (40 µm), and polyester support web (120 µm). This construction enables consistent water purification performance across brackish water, tap water, and seawater applications. FilmTec membranes were previously manufactured by DOW Chemical and are now produced by DuPont Water Solutions.

DuPont FilmTec Membrane Specifications

Performance specifications for major DuPont FilmTec RO membrane series demonstrate operating parameters and rejection capabilities across different water treatment applications.

These specifications represent standard operating conditions with pH cleaning range extending 1-13 for 30 minutes. AXEON Supply stocks 25+ FilmTec membrane configurations including 2.5", 4", and 8" diameters with lengths from 14" to 40".

How Do DuPont FilmTec RO Membranes Work?

FilmTec RO membranes operate through semi-permeable membrane filtration where pressurized feed water passes through polyamide barrier layers. Water molecules penetrate the thin-film composite membrane while contaminants including salts, bacteria, and organic compounds with molecular weight greater than 100 are rejected and discharged as concentrate.

Feed water enters membrane housings at operating pressures between 600-1000 psi under crossflow filtration principles. The polyamide thin-film composite structure consisting of 3 layers—polyester support web, microporous polysulfone interlayer, and ultrathin polyamide barrier—allows selective permeation with molecular-level filtration. Permeate water exits with 99%+ contaminant removal while concentrate containing rejected substances is discharged, achieving salt rejection rates of 95-99% depending on membrane type and operating conditions.

DuPont FilmTec Membranes Series Applications

Seawater RO Membranes (SW30 Series)

SW30 seawater membranes achieve 99.4% salt rejection at 800-1000 psi operating pressure for marine and land-based desalination systems processing feed water with total dissolved solids exceeding 32,000 ppm. These elements handle seawater desalination, marine watermakers, and coastal treatment facilities requiring high-volume freshwater production.

SW30-2521, SW30-2540, SW30-4040, and SW30-4021 configurations serve offshore watermakers producing 300-1950 gpd, coastal desalination plants, and marine vessels including yachts and commercial ships. Operating pressures range 800-1000 psi with maximum temperatures up to 113°F (45°C).

Brackish Water RO Membranes (BW30 Series)

BW30 brackish water membranes provide 99.5% salt rejection at 225 psi for municipal and industrial water treatment systems processing feed water with 2,000 ppm total dissolved solids. Standard operating pressure requirements are 33% lower than seawater applications.

BW30HRLE, BW30XFRLE, and BW30XHR elements serve municipal water treatment facilities producing 2,400-11,000 gpd, industrial manufacturing, and commercial food/beverage processing operations. Feed spacer thickness of 34 mil provides enhanced fouling resistance.

Low Energy RO Membranes (XLE Series)

XLE low energy membranes deliver 50% pressure reduction compared to standard elements while maintaining 99% salt rejection for energy-efficient commercial applications operating at 125 psi. Operating pressure reductions translate to lower pump requirements and decreased energy consumption.

XLE-2521, XLE-4021, and XLE-440 membranes reduce operational costs through lower pump requirements and 50% energy savings in commercial reverse osmosis systems treating surface water, groundwater, and municipal sources.

Nanofiltration Membranes (NF Series)

NF90 and NF270 nanofiltration membranes provide selective separation of divalent ions and organic compounds while allowing monovalent salts partial passage for specialized water treatment applications requiring 600 psi operating pressure. Salt rejection rates range 85-95% depending on ion type and molecular weight.

NF membranes remove total organic carbon (TOC), trihalomethane (THM) precursors, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) while maintaining beneficial mineral content including calcium and magnesium. Applications include water softening, color removal, and pharmaceutical processing.

DuPont FilmTec vs DOW Filmtec Membranes

FilmTec membranes were originally manufactured by DOW Chemical Company from 1985-2017 and transitioned to DuPont Water Solutions following the DowDuPont merger completed August 31, 2017. Legacy DOW FilmTec and current DuPont FilmTec membranes maintain identical specifications and performance characteristics under the same manufacturing processes.

Existing DOW FilmTec installations remain fully compatible with current DuPont FilmTec replacement elements, as confirmed by DuPont's official documentation stating "fully compatible replacement for existing DOW FILMTEC residential RO elements". Part numbers and technical specifications continue unchanged across the brand transition, with membrane chemistry and manufacturing standards maintained at identical performance levels.

Commercial RO Membrane Selection Criteria

Feed Water Quality Assessment

Membrane selection requires comprehensive water analysis including total dissolved solids, silt density index (SDI), pH levels, and temperature measurements to determine optimal FilmTec element specifications. Critical water quality parameters include SDI values below 5, pH range 2-11, and temperature between 77°F-95°F (25°C-35°C) for continuous operation.

Feed water with TDS below 2,000 ppm utilizes BW30 brackish elements with 95-99% rejection capability, while TDS levels 5,000-15,000 ppm require high-salinity brackish membranes, and TDS above 35,000 ppm necessitates SW30 seawater membranes for effective desalination. Fouling assessment through SDI measurement determines pretreatment requirements, with SDI values under 3 allowing higher flux rates of 22-29 L/m²/h. 

System Design Considerations

Industrial applications requiring production rates exceeding 10 gpm (2,300 L/h) utilize 8" diameter elements with active areas up to 400 ft², while commercial systems under 10 gpm employ 4" diameter configurations with 2,000-12,500 GPD capacity ranges. Flux optimization operates within 8-30 GFD depending on water source, with brackish well water maintaining 14-18 GFD and seawater systems operating at 8-12 GFD.

System pump capacity determines membrane selection with high-pressure SW30 seawater elements requiring 1,000 psi (69 bar) operating capability, while BW30 brackish water membranes operate at 600 psi (41 bar) maximum pressure. Energy optimization through XLE low-energy elements reduces operating pressure by 33%, requiring only 80 psi for ultra-low energy applications versus 225 psi for standard membranes.

AXEON Supply DuPont FilmTec RO Membranes Inventory

Product Availability: AXEON Supply maintains comprehensive FilmTec membrane inventory including 25+ configurations across seawater SW30, brackish BW30, low energy XLE, and nanofiltration NF series with same-day shipping capability from Temecula, California distribution center. Stock management encompasses industrial 8" elements, commercial 4" elements, and residential 2.5" configurations with production capacities ranging 50-12,000 GPD per element.

Technical Support:AXEON Supply's 36-year water treatment expertise provides application engineering assistance for FilmTec membrane selection, system design consultation, and replacement element specification utilizing genuine DuPont flat-sheet membrane technology. Professional consultation includes TDS analysis, pressure requirements assessment, and flow rate calculations for optimal membrane performance matching.

Ordering Information: FilmTec membrane elements feature "Made in USA" designation and include manufacturer warranty coverage with technical documentation support from DuPont Water Solutions at 833-338-7668. Contact AXEON Supply technical team at 800-320-4074 for system-specific membrane recommendations, competitive wholesale pricing, and expedited delivery options throughout California, Nevada, and Arizona markets.