Treatment Solutions

Membrane Treatment Systems and RO / UF / NF Solutions

A technician adjusts yellow membrane filtration housings inside an industrial water treatment facility containing large blue pressure vessels and interconnected piping. The scene illustrates membrane treatment systems including RO systems, UF systems, and NF systems used for water reuse and high-purity water production, representative of ProChem Water technologies. As industrial operations face stricter discharge limits and tighter reuse requirements, advanced membrane technologies have become the foundation of modern water treatment. Reverse osmosis (RO), ultrafiltration (UF), and nanofiltration (NF) offer precise, reliable, and high-performance solutions for achieving high-purity water, reuse, and zero-liquid discharge goals. At ProChem Water, we don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. We design, manufacture, and integrate complete membrane systems that meet the unique demands of each facility. Our RO, UF, and NF systems are engineered for performance, efficiency, and long-term value; helping clients achieve consistent results with less footprint, lower operating costs, and fewer maintenance headaches.

Membrane Technology Overview: UF, NF, and RO

Industrial water treatment presents complex challenges, from solids removal to desalination. Membrane technologies address these challenges with precision: UF handles particulates and bacteria, NF targets hardness and organics, and RO delivers the highest level of purification. Together, they provide a complete, dependable solution.

Ultrafiltration (UF)

Ultrafiltration serves as a powerful barrier for suspended solids, colloids, and biological contaminants. With pore sizes typically between 0.01 and 0.1 micron, UF produces a clear and stable feed stream that protects downstream membranes and enhances system longevity. Operating at low pressure, it’s both energy-efficient and cost-effective — ideal for pretreatment or as a standalone process where turbidity and biological control are priorities.

Nanofiltration (NF)

Nanofiltration operates in the middle ground between UF and RO, providing selective ion removal and partial desalination. With pores in the 1–10 nanometer range, NF effectively removes divalent ions like calcium and magnesium while allowing smaller ions to pass. This makes it a strong option for softening, organics removal, and color reduction in industrial water streams. NF also helps reduce chemical demand and improves consistency in downstream polishing or reuse applications.

Reverse Osmosis (RO)

Reverse osmosis provides the highest level of water purity achievable through membrane technology. By applying pressure to overcome osmotic forces, RO membranes reject dissolved salts, trace organics, and most dissolved contaminants. RO systems are the standard for desalination, high-purity process water, and final polishing stages in industrial reuse. When properly staged, UF → NF → RO systems work in harmony: UF removes suspended matter, NF reduces hardness and organics, and RO completes the desalination and purification process. The result is a clean, consistent water stream ready for the most demanding industrial applications.

Why Choose Membrane Treatment Systems

Membrane technologies have redefined what’s possible in industrial water management. They offer high removal efficiency for solids, pathogens, organics, and salts; all within a smaller footprint than traditional clarification systems. When properly engineered, membrane systems provide:
  • Consistent and predictable water quality suitable for reuse or discharge compliance.
  • Scalable modular design, allowing you to expand capacity without overhauling your infrastructure.
  • Reduced chemical consumption due to precise control and cleaner feed streams.
  • Energy-efficient operation with smart staging and recovery optimization.
  • Full automation and monitoring integration, improving operational control and system reliability.
In industrial case studies, combining UF, NF, and RO has proven to significantly reduce COD levels and produce permeate suitable for direct reuse, turning wastewater into a valuable resource while cutting disposal costs.

System Components & Design Architecture

Every membrane system ProChem builds is engineered as a complete, integrated unit, designed for durability, serviceability, and performance in real industrial conditions. A typical system may include:
  • Pretreatment such as media filtration, sedimentation, DAF, or chemical dosing to condition feedwater.
  • Feed pumps sized to deliver precise pressures for optimal permeation.
  • Membrane modules — UF, NF, or RO — configured in parallel or staged arrays for maximum efficiency.
  • Energy recovery devices in RO/NF systems to reclaim and reuse pressure energy.
  • CIP (clean-in-place) systems for automated cleaning and fouling control.
  • Instrumentation and control systems integrated with PLC or SCADA for real-time monitoring and control.
  • Piping, valving, and manifolds built for flexibility, ease of maintenance, and corrosion resistance.
  • Brine or reject handling systems for concentrate recycling or further treatment.
Our modular, skid-mounted units arrive pretested and ready for installation, minimizing on-site work and ensuring consistent quality from factory to field.

Design Considerations & Best Practices

At ProChem, every membrane treatment system is engineered based on data, not assumptions. We evaluate each project’s feedwater profile, treatment goals, and operational conditions to design systems that perform reliably from day one. Key design principles include:
  1. Comprehensive Feedwater Profiling – Understanding total solids, organics, scaling ions, and variability to ensure proper pretreatment and membrane protection.
  2. Fouling Indices & Predictive Modeling – Using parameters like SDI and colloidal content to predict maintenance intervals and protect productivity.
  3. Staging & Recovery Optimization – Balancing recovery rates and energy use to achieve long-term performance.
  4. Energy Efficiency – Designing hydraulics and selecting membranes that minimize pressure losses and operating costs.
  5. Cleaning & Compatibility – Implementing CIP systems with tailored chemical sequences for different membrane materials.
  6. Redundancy & Bypass Paths – Enabling continuous operation during maintenance or cleaning cycles.
  7. Advanced Monitoring – Integrating real-time diagnostics for early detection of fouling or performance decline.
  8. Material Selection – Using stainless steel, FRP, or specialized polymers that withstand feedwater chemistry and long-term exposure.
  9. Scalability & Modularity – Designing systems that grow with your operation without requiring full redesigns.
  10. Commissioning & Validation – Factory and on-site testing to verify performance before handover.
These practices ensure that every ProChem membrane system is efficient, resilient, and ready for continuous operation in demanding industrial environments.

Typical Applications & Use Cases

Membrane treatment systems are used across a wide range of industrial and process applications, including:
  • Industrial wastewater reuse and recycling to cut water costs and improve sustainability.
  • Brackish water treatment or desalination pretreatment for consistent process supply.
  • Zero-liquid discharge (ZLD) systems to meet strict environmental goals.
  • Polishing stages for potable or process reuse.
  • Pretreatment protection for ion exchange or downstream systems.
  • High-purity water production for food, beverage, pharmaceutical, and semiconductor industries.
  • Cooling tower makeup or boiler feed reuse, maximizing recovery while minimizing blowdown.
Because of their precision and modularity, membrane systems are ideal where space is limited, quality demands are high, and reliability is non-negotiable.

Why ProChem Is a Top Choice for Membrane Systems

What sets ProChem apart is not just our equipment. It’s our commitment to engineering complete, field-ready solutions that perform over time.
  • End-to-End Capability – From system design and membrane selection to controls, cleaning systems, and commissioning, we handle every phase in-house.
  • Custom Engineering – Every system is tailored to your water chemistry, recovery goals, and plant conditions.
  • Modular Skid Designs – Factory-built, fully tested units reduce risk and installation time.
  • Smart Monitoring & Remote Diagnostics – Integrated SCADA and remote access keep operators informed and systems optimized.
  • Pilot Validation – Pilot and bench-scale testing under real conditions ensures confidence before full-scale investment.
  • Lifecycle Service – From membrane replacement to performance audits and optimization, ProChem remains a long-term partner in your system’s success.
  • Performance Assurance – We stand behind our systems with measurable guarantees on flux, recovery, and uptime.

Next Step

When your process requires dependable water treatment for reuse, recovery, or high-purity production, ProChem Water is your partner in performance. We start with understanding your goals, analyzing your feedwater, and piloting under real conditions. From there, we deliver a full engineering package, drawings, control logic, performance data, and build modular systems tested to the highest standards. Once installed, our team supports commissioning, optimization, and long-term operation. Contact us today to discuss your membrane system needs or schedule a pilot. Together, we’ll design an RO, UF, or NF solution that delivers the performance, consistency, and reliability your facility demands.