Motorized Turbochargers Much More Than Energy Recovery

Energy Recovery Devices (ERDs) are widely used in seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) systems with turbochargers and rotary ceramic isobaric chambers or CICs dominating the market. The White Paper ERD Efficiency – What Systems Builders and Consultants Need to Know explores in detail ERD potential to reduce SWRO energy consumption in realistic field conditions with a focus on mega-scale systems. The results show that both types of ERDs are approximately equal in the potential to reduce net energy consumption.

This paper will focus on the motorized turbocharger ERD or HEMI (Hydraulic Energy Management Integration) for SWRO applications. The HEMI can often have the lowest SEC value any commercially available ERD. However, its most unique and advantageous features are the ability to provide complete control of feed flow and pressure and brine flow and pressure. In short, the HEMI provides RO membrane control as well as effective energy recovery in a compact and relatively low-cost package.