RO Reject Treatment: Complete Guide for Indian Industries

What is RO Reject?

Reverse Osmosis (RO) is widely used in industries for water purification. However, RO only recovers 70-80% of feed water - the remaining 20-30% becomes concentrated "reject" or "brine" with high TDS (Total Dissolved Solids), heavy metals, and scale-forming compounds.

The Problem: RO Reject Disposal

Industries face major challenges with RO reject disposal:

High disposal costs: Tankers cost ₹150-300 per ton
Environmental regulations: GPCB/CPCB strict on discharge
Volume increase: As water recovery improves, reject volume increases
Composition complexity: Varies based on feed water source

RO Reject Treatment Methods

1. Evaporation (Thermal)

Uses heat to vaporize water. Effective but high energy costs - suitable for large volumes.

2. Evaporation (Non-Thermal)

Asiatic Engineers' patented system uses mechanical atomization + natural evaporation. 60-70% lower operating costs vs thermal.

3. Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD)

Complete system combining RO, evaporation, and sometimes crystallization for zero discharge.

4. Land Application

For some industries, controlled land application is permitted. Requires large land area.

Cost of RO Reject Treatment in India

Method	CAPEX	OPEX/Year	Best For
Thermal Evaporation	₹2-10 crore	₹20-50 lakh	Large pharma, chemicals
Non-Thermal	₹50 lakh - 2 crore	₹5-15 lakh	Mid-size industries
ZLD System	₹1-5 crore	₹10-30 lakh	Full treatment

Choosing RO Reject Treatment

Consider these factors:

Volume: Higher volumes justify thermal systems
TDS level: Above 10,000 TDS needs specialized equipment
Space: Non-thermal needs more area
Budget: Total cost of ownership over 5-10 years

Conclusion

RO reject is a growing challenge for Indian industries. The key is finding a solution that meets regulations economically. Non-thermal evaporation offers the best balance of CAPEX and OPEX for most mid-size industries.

Need RO reject treatment solution? Contact Asiatic Engineers: +91 98240 54002