Low-Pressure PX
Ideal for brackish water reverse osmosis and water reuse in municipal and industrial applications, our low-pressure PX solutions...
Upgrade your RO system with ease.
Whether you operate a reverse osmosis system with no energy recovery device (ERD), an aging ERD that has been in service for 15 to 25 years, or a plant ready to expand, our PX® Pressure Exchanger®, turbochargers, and pumps are built to integrate into existing infrastructure and deliver measurable results.
Two paths into the same outcome
Most retrofit projects fall into one of two categories. The approach is the same in either case: assess the system, size the right PX and pump configuration, install with minimal disruption.
SWRO: Legacy ERD Replacement
Many SWRO plants built in the late 1990s and 2000s were commissioned with older energy recovery technology. After years of high-pressure operation, the case for replacement is straightforward. We’ve completed both small and large-scale ERD conversions at leading desalination facilities.
- Applicable to all plant sizes, as small as 100 m³/day (18.35 gpm) to over 50,000 m³/day (9,172.64 gpm)
- PX devices designed for direct installation into existing configurations
- Commissioning support included; Energy Recovery engineers available for startup
Wastewater & Brackish Systems: Adding an ERD
Whether industrial wastewater, reuse, or brackish RO systems, these processes operate at pressures where recovering energy delivers immediate savings. Many systems were designed without an ERD, and adding a PX can substantially reduce operating costs without a full plant redesign.
- Reduces electricity use in single and multiple stage RO designs
- Completed energy recovery retrofits on existing brackish and reuse systems, with our engineers on site through commissioning
- PX options available for operating pressures anywhere from 5.5 bar – 120 bar (80-1740 psi)
- Energy recovery assessment available to quantify impact
Systems we retrofit
PX technology fits a wide range of RO configurations, including systems that were not designed with an ERD in mind.
RO systems with no ERD
Adding a PX is one of the fastest ways to lower specific energy consumption. The PX recovers pressure from the concentrate stream and reduces duty on the high-pressure pump.
Legacy ERDs
Legacy ERDs including turbochargers typically operate at 65 to 85% efficiency with multiple wear components. A PX moves efficiency up to 99% and removes the parts that drive maintenance cycles.
Expansions and capacity increases
PX technology supports plant expansion with minimal footprint impact, whether you are moving from one stage to two, or increasing capacity inside an existing building.
What a retrofit delivers
Lower energy costs
PX devices recover hydraulic energy at up to 99% efficiency. For systems without an ERD today, a PX reduces electricity consumption from day one.
Improved reliability
With one moving part and a 30-year design life, PX devices can eliminate the unplanned shutdowns and spare-parts delays that come with aging mechanical equipment.
Smaller footprint
Replacing older ERDs or pumps with PX technology frees up floor space and simplifies piping, creating headroom for capacity increases or a second pass without a major plant rebuild.
Minimal disruption
PX devices and pumps are designed for retrofit compatibility. In most projects, installation fits into existing infrastructure with little system redesign required.
What a retrofit delivers
Lower energy costs
PX devices recover hydraulic energy at up to 99% efficiency. For systems without an ERD today, a PX reduces electricity consumption from day one.
Improved reliability
With one moving part and a 30-year design life, PX devices can eliminate the unplanned shutdowns and spare-parts delays that come with aging mechanical equipment.
Smaller footprint
Replacing older ERDs or pumps with PX technology frees up floor space and simplifies piping, creating headroom for capacity increases or a second pass without a major plant rebuild.
Minimal disruption
PX devices and pumps are designed for retrofit compatibility. In most projects, installation fits into existing infrastructure with little system redesign required.
Power Model Pro
Power Model Pro is a secure, easy-to-use cloud-based product configurator tool that allows you to optimize the hydraulic pumping system of a reverse osmosis system using our products.
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Frequently Asked Questions
In most cases, retrofits are completed rack by rack, allowing ongoing production from the remaining trains during installation. Our engineering & field service teams work with your operators to schedule installation around your production needs, and commissioning is typically completed within days.
Yes. PX devices and pumps are designed to fit existing rack infrastructure, so connections, piping, and overall plant layout typically require minimal modification. We have completed conversions at plants from 100 to over 500,000 m³/day.
Start with an energy assessment. Using your operating pressure, recovery rate, and system capacity, we will model what energy recovery looks like in your specific system. Power Model Pro handles self-service modeling, or contact our team for a detailed analysis.
Often, yes. Replacing older ERDs or pumps with current Energy Recovery technology typically frees up footprint and reduces pump duty, which can make room for added capacity or a second stage in the existing building.