Seawater RO Membranes – High-Pressure Desalination Elements for Marine & Coastal Applications
AMPAC Water Systems provides advanced seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) membranes designed for high-salinity water sources, including ocean water, deep wells, and coastal feedwater.
These membranes are engineered to perform under high pressure while delivering excellent salt rejection, long life, and energy efficiency.
What Are Seawater RO Membranes?
Seawater membranes are designed to desalinate water with TDS levels exceeding 10,000 ppm, removing up to 99.8% of salts, minerals, and microbes. They are used in environments where brackish membranes are insufficient, such as marine vessels, offshore platforms, island resorts, and emergency relief stations.
Brands We Carry
We offer high-performance seawater membranes from:
Toray: Known for their energy-saving technology, high rejection rates, and NSF certification, Toray SWRO membranes are trusted across military, commercial, and industrial applications worldwide.
Available Seawater RO Membrane Models & Specs
| Model | Size | Capacity (Nominal GPD) | Manufacturer | Price | Product Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM820V-400 | 8" x 40" | 9,000 GPD | Toray | $1,150.00 | View Product |
| TM810V | 4" x 40" | 1,900 GPD | Toray | $475.00 | View Product |
Key Benefits of Seawater RO Membranes
- Removes up to 99.8% of dissolved salts and minerals
- Operates at high pressure (800–1,200 psi)
- Delivers high flow with excellent permeate quality
- Durable membrane structure for extended lifespan
- Ideal for harsh saline conditions
- NSF/ANSI certified and compliant with global standards
Where to Use Seawater RO Membranes
- Naval ships and marine vessels
- Desalination plants on islands or coastal towns
- Offshore rigs and platforms
- Disaster relief and humanitarian operations
- Hotels, resorts, and sea-based factories
FAQs – Seawater Reverse Osmosis Membranes
Q1. What pressure is required to operate a seawater membrane?
Most SWRO membranes operate between 800–1,200 psi depending on feedwater salinity.
Q2. Can these membranes be used in standard RO housings?
Yes, 4" and 8" sizes fit industry-standard housings.
Q3. How long do seawater membranes last?
Typically 3–5 years with proper pretreatment and maintenance.
Q4. What is the minimum recovery rate for seawater RO?
Recovery ranges between 30–45%, lower than brackish due to high osmotic pressure.
Seawater RO membranes: specifications and selection
Seawater reverse osmosis membranes are built to handle ocean water at roughly 35,000 ppm total dissolved solids, a far higher salinity load than brackish or residential RO membranes are designed for. AMPAC seawater RO membranes achieve 99.6-99.8% sodium chloride rejection, bringing ocean water below 500 ppm TDS -- within drinking water standards.
That level of rejection requires significantly higher operating pressure than brackish systems: 800-1,200 psi, depending on salinity and feed temperature. AMPAC seawater systems pair each membrane element with a high-pressure pump sized to its design operating point and target recovery rate.
Elements are available in 2.5″ x 21″, 4″ x 40″, and 8″ x 40″ sizes, compatible with AMPAC watermakers and most major RO brands including Filmtec and Hydranautics. With proper pre-treatment and periodic cleaning, expect 3-5 years of service life -- watch for rising differential pressure or declining permeate quality as signs a membrane needs cleaning or replacement.