RO/UFMBR Chemicals

CASE STUDY
RO | UF | MBR

Food and Beverage
Germany

Toray Heat Sanitisable RO Membranes Demineralise NF Permeate forDiafiltration at a Whey Production Plant
CHALLENGE
In the food industry, heat sanitisation of membrane systems is a crucial
aspect of preventing microbial growth. A leading producer of whey
ingredients in Germany struggled with bacterial counts in the RO
permeate. As a result, the whey producer began to pilot alternative
membrane supplier models, including Toray's heat-sanitisation
membranes.
HEAT SANITISATION
For the pilot, two pressure vessels were each set up to contain five
RO elements: one pressure vessel loaded with Toray's heat-sanitisable
membrane model TMRO8040HS, and the other pressure vessel withthe existing RO membrane. The goal was to keep the germ content
in the permeate as low as possible while maintaining a comparable
performance through periodic sanitisation of the membrane elements.
The RO system has an average feed capacity of 35,000 litres per hour
at 27 bar and 10 degrees Celsius. Since the pilot commenced, the test
modules have been sanitised three times with hot water. Sanitisation
conditions were 20 to 30 minutes at a maximum of 85°C, with a baselineof 1 bar and 0.1–0.2 bar of differential pressure.

Figure 1: Heat sanitisable RO system. Image source MMS AG Urdorf Switzerland

4500

Table 1 — Comparative average performance
Avg. flow (L/h)

COD (mg/L)

Heat sanitised TMRO8040HS

3,811

20–30

Existing RO

2,530

100–168

4,008

4000

RESULTS
Toray modules consistently outperformed the competitor modules,
measured by the permeate flow rate and COD (Chemical Oxygen
Demand) levels (see Table 1). On average, the flux of the Torayelements was 50% higher, and the permeate COD levels were 82%
lower than the competitor. Based on this performance, permeate flow,
and the production time of 18 hours per day, the heat-sanitisable
TMRO8040HS can reduce the COD content total by 176 kilograms per
production day.
The results, with significant flow improvement and bacterial countreduction, are of great interest in other membrane systems within thisplant.

03-DE-MB3-WheyProduction-202108

Vessel Flow, L/hParameter

Figure 2: Comparative vessel flows*TMRO8040HS was sanitised weekly

3,876

3,731

TMRO8040HS

3,628

3500
3000
2500
2000

2,747

2,5482,500

Existing RO

01Time (Weeks)

22,327

3"With Toray's membrane, we save 138 mg/L csb[COD] compared to the competing product." —Whey producer

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C A S E S T U DY

Toray Heat Sanitisable RO Membranes Demineralise NF Permeate forDiafiltration at a Whey Production Plant

RO | NF | UF | MF

Figure 3: Design of NF/RO Diafiltration System

Storagetanks

TORAY HEAT SANITISABLE RO
Below are specifications for Toray's Heat Sanitisable RO elements. Toray
HSRO-series elements are sanitised with hot water as the preferred
method in food and pharmaceutical applications eliminating the needfor chemicals and other disposals.

Storagetank
NF retentate

New Toray HSRO-series elements must be pre-conditioned before
initial use by exposure to hot water. Conditioning water must be highquality chlorine and oxidant free, non-scaling, non-fouling water. RO
permeate is preferred, and from an RO that has been in operation for atleast 24 hours.

NF feedNF

Storagetanks

RO permeate /Diafiltration water for NF permeate /RO feedNF system

ROToray's manufacturing facility in San Diego, California that produces
heat-sanitisable elements and other membranes in sanitary design,
is registered under ISO 9001:2015 and 14001:2015 to ensure
consistency in product and service quality and enhance environmental
performance.

RO retentate

TRO8038HS in Sanitary Design (no ATD)

Specifications for TMRO8040HS & TRO8038HS

Components conform to FDA Regulation CFR Title 21 andUSDA/3A Sanitary Standards
Flow direction

CA

NaClrejection%Permeateflow rate
GPD (m3/d)

Feed spacer
thicknessin. (mm)

Active area
ft² (m²)

99.5%

9,000 (34.1)

0.028 (0.71)

400 (37.2)

Standard dimensions in. (mm)BSizeADiameterBLengthC
PermeatetubeID

TMRO8040HS (w/ ATD)

8040

7.9 (201)40 (1,016)

1.125 (28.6)8038

7.9 (201)

38 (965)

1.125 (28.6)

Components conform to FDA Regulation CFR Title 21
Flow direction

CA
B

Test Conditions
Feed water pressure psi (bar)150 (10.3)

Feed water temperature °F (°C)

77 (25)

Feedwaterconcentration mg/lasNaCl

2,000

Recovery rate %15

Feed water pH

7

TORAY MEMBRANE USA, INC. 13435 Danielson Street, Poway, CA 92064, U.S.A. Tel: +1-952-470-0522 madalyn.epple.t3@mail.torayTORAY MEMBRANE EUROPE AG Grabenackerstrasse 8b, Muenchenstein 1 CH-4142, Switzerland Tel: +41-61-415-8710 info.tmeu.mb@mail.toray

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All information presented herein is believed reliable and in accordance with accepted engineering practices.
Toray makes no warranties as to the completeness of this information. Users are responsible for evaluating
individual product suitability for specific applications. Toray assumes no liability whatsoever for any special,
indirect or consequential damages arising from the sale, resale or misuse of its products.
© 2021 Toray Industries, Inc. Subject to change without notice.
03-DE-MB3-WheyProduction-202108

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