Reverse osmosis is a simple yet highly versatile water purification process. Typical applications include production of bottled water or potable water for people on the move such as those in temporary mining and construction camps, and military troops in the field.

The Water Technologies Division supplies the Army with two RO systems: the highly mobile 3000 gph ROWPU (Reverse Osmosis Water Purification Unit) and the equally mobile 1500 gph TWPS (Tactical Water Purification System).

Integrally-mounted in a standard 8' x 8' x 20' ISO container, either the ROWPU or TWPS can be easily transported by truck, rail or air for rapid deployment virtually anywhere, using virtually any feedwater source:
seawater, brackish, even contaminated fresh water.

Both the ROWPU and TWPS exceed all requirements of TB MED 577 for Nuclear, Biological or Chemical (NBC) Agent levels and are fully tested by the Army. Our units reduce any anticipated levels of nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) contamination to safe levels with our optional NBC system.

Aqua-Chem ROWPUs have been used in Operation Desert Storm, to provide clean water during a cholera epidemic in Rwanda, and to aid flood victims in
North Dakota.

A Simple Process - How Reverse Osmosis Works
In the reverse osmosis process, feedwater is forced through a semi-permeable reverse osmosis (RO) membrane at high pressure. Acting as a molecular filter, the membrane separates dissolved solids from the water.

The resulting fresh water is accumulated in storage tanks while the concentrated (high TDS) brine is discharged. RO membranes provide an effective barrier to microorganisms, reducing the importance of water chlorination.