BRACKISH WATER DESALINATION IN SUNGAI ITIK AREA USING REVERSE OSMOSIS (RO) METHOD

Abstract

This research addresses the complexities of treating brackish and seawater from Sungai Itik using Reverse Osmosis (RO), emphasizing advanced pre-treatment methods, hybrid RO systems, and fouling control. Pilot-scale tests confirmed the feasibility of these approaches in meeting clean water standards and balancing economic and environmental sustainability.Using a single ultra-low pressure (ULP) RO membrane, salinity decreased by 57.36%, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) by 25.76%, and watercolor by 63.25%, achieving improved water quality. Expanding to a ULP and Brackish Water (BW) membrane combination further reduced salinity by 40.63%, TDS by 35.76%, and watercolor by 92.13%, highlighting the benefits of hybrid systems for varied water conditions. In seawater treatment, a ULP membrane reduced salinity by 69.48%, TDS by 93.49%, and watercolor by 97.74%, proving effective for converting seawater to potable or industrial-grade water. Combining ULP and BW membranes achieved salinity reductions of 94.67%, TDS by 94.02%, and watercolor by 34.94%, which is crucial for applications needing ultra-clean water. These findings underscore RO's potential to mitigate water quality challenges and support sustainable water management in diverse environments.