Installation requirement of Reverse osmosis plant

[hardikmpanchal]

I am working on a refinery project. There we will have a huge RO plant....
As per my experience I have never seen RO plant in open to sky area. Can anyone tell me why RO plant need a shadede roof? Why it can not be installed in open to sky area like normal waste water plant....?

If instruments and pvc pipes are the only concern to put RO plant in shaded building then why cant we go for higher IP rating of instruments and pipes...with UV protection...?

 

[IRstuff]

And how would the higher IP rating control the temperature of the RO?

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[Artisi]

Wouldn't you think that the cost to upgrade instruments, PVC pipe together with UV protection would likely cost more than putting up a shade roof. Have you asked the RO plant designers / manufacturers why?

It is a capital mistake to theorise before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. (Sherlock Holmes - A Scandal in Bohemia.)

 

[bimr]

RO pressure vessels are commonly made of FRP which is not normally UV resistant.

 

[tr6]

A lot of times, a sunshade is provided to protect the housings from solar heating at times when the RO is "Off Line" for whatever reason. Having the water heat up due to solar can promote biological growth in the membranes, which is then difficult to clean.

As mentioned above PVC us particularly susceptible to UV degradation. You can change the low pressure piping to something else, but the housing end caps are generally PVC.

Most RO housing suppliers coat the exterior with two-part polyurethane enamel for a high gloss and UV protection.

 

[bimr]

If you are making a substantial investment to install an RO unit, you may be better served by installing it in a building rather than under a sunscreen.

Most of the components are not uv resistant. You will have corrosion and filth on the equipment. The electrical components are not waterproof. Clean conditions are required when you are loading membranes. You will need a maintenance and storage area anyway.

 

[GreenDesert]

There are some well accepted engineering practices and standards for installation of RO plants, different equipment at different conditions and locations.

It is not only sun UV and temperature rise due to solar heating. It is weather - rain, dust, salt mist, sand, sun rays, cold at night, even frost and snow (although rare). You want to protect your equipment in the water treatment plant in RO systems. Electrical panels, Motor control centers, all these definitely need to be housed indoor, some even need air conditioning. Motors indoor are cheaper and you can prevent corrosion on motor and many other metal surfaces.

Another consideration is operation and maintenance. It is much easier to work in door, at day or night. Even for water treatment plants, people still prefer to work on dry floors.

Not all equipment are installed under shelter. Water and chemical tanks can be outdoor.

RO plant buildings has not only shelter, but also other structures inside, like lifting beams and gantries are also under the same building.

 

[hardikmpanchal]

Thanks everyone for your response.