HyO-RO™ | Hybrid Osmosis, Enhanced Recovery
Hybrid Forward Osmosis–Reverse Osmosis System
Forward osmosis (FO) is a membrane-based separation process that utilizes osmotic pressure to draw water across a semi-permeable membrane, separating it from a solution with a lower concentration of solutes to a solution with a higher concentration. Unlike reverse osmosis, FO doesn’t rely on applied pressure, making it potentially more energy-efficient
HyO-RO™ | Hybrid Osmosis, Enhanced Recovery
Developed by InfraCorp, HyO-RO™ is an innovative hybrid membrane system that integrates Forward Osmosis (FO) with Reverse Osmosis (RO) to optimize water treatment and desalination performance. By harnessing the natural osmotic potential of FO alongside the high-pressure filtration of RO, HyO-RO™ significantly enhances water recovery, reduces membrane fouling, and lowers overall energy consumption compared to conventional RO-only systems.
- Technology: Integrated Forward Osmosis + Reverse Osmosis
- Benefits:
- Enhanced water recovery
- Lower energy demand
- Reduced fouling and scaling
Applications: Brackish water desalination, industrial wastewater reuse, zero liquid discharge (ZLD), hypersaline stream treatment
Integrate Forward Osmosiswith WasteWater Stream
Integrating forward osmosis (FO) with wastewater treatment systems offers a promising approach for water reuse and resource recovery. FO can be used to concentrate wastewater, extract clean water for reuse, and even enhance downstream processes like membrane distillation (MD) or reverse osmosis (RO). This integration can lead to reduced energy consumption, lower operational costs, and improved overall treatment efficiency
Primary Applications
- Desalination of Seawater and Brackish Water
- Industrial Wastewater Reuse
- Pretreatment for High-Salinity or High-Fouling Streams
- ZLD and Concentrate Reduction Systems
- Cooling Tower Blowdown Recovery
Textile, Pharma, and Pulp & Paper Effluent Treatment
Technology Type
Hybrid Forward Osmosis–Reverse Osmosis (FO–RO) System
HyO-RO™ is a proprietary hybrid membrane system developed by InfraCorp that combines Forward Osmosis (FO) with Reverse Osmosis (RO) to deliver superior water treatment and desalination performance. It leverages FO’s osmotic driving force to pre-concentrate feedwater, minimizing pressure requirements and improving RO efficiency.
Performance Highlights
- Enhanced water recovery compared to RO-only systems
- Up to 30–50% reduction in membrane fouling and scaling
- Lower operating pressure due to osmotic dilution, reducing energy use
- Improved permeate quality through dual-stage filtration
- Flexible system design for modular deployment and retrofit compatibility
Target Applications
- High-salinity RO brine polishing
- Industrial wastewater reuse
- ZLD and near-ZLD systems
- Municipal effluent recovery
- Desalination pre/post-treatment
Key Benefits
- Maximizes Recovery Efficiency – FO pre-treatment reduces osmotic pressure on RO, increasing net recovery
- Minimizes Fouling and Scaling – FO barrier effect shields RO membranes from particulates and biofoulants
- Reduces Energy Consumption – Lower pressure requirements translate into operational savings
- Enables Treatment of Complex Waters – Effective with high-TSS, high-salinity, or difficult wastewater streams
- Enhances System Longevity – Lower stress on RO membranes leads to extended lifespan
- Supports Sustainable Water Management – Ideal for reuse, resource recovery, and brine minimization strategies
- Enhanced water recovery compared to RO-only systems
- Up to 30–50% reduction in membrane fouling and scaling
- Lower operating pressure due to osmotic dilution, reducing energy use
- Improved permeate quality through dual-stage filtration
- Flexible system design for modular deployment and retrofit compatibility
HyO-RO™ Value Proposition
HyO-RO™ by InfraCorp offers a breakthrough in water treatment by combining Forward Osmosis (FO) and Reverse Osmosis (RO) in a single hybrid system—delivering maximum recovery, minimal fouling, and superior energy efficiency.
What Sets HyO-RO™ Apart
- Osmotically Assisted Efficiency: Leverages the natural osmotic gradient to reduce RO load, lowering energy demands and extending membrane life.
- Superior Water Recovery: Achieves significantly higher recovery rates compared to standalone RO—ideal for brine concentration and ZLD strategies.
- Fouling Resistance by Design: FO’s pre-treatment effect protects RO membranes from scaling, biofouling, and high-TDS shock loads.
- Energy-Smart Operation:Reduces specific energy consumption (SEC) by up to 30% in suitable applications, cutting OPEX and carbon footprint.
- Modular & Scalable: Seamlessly integrates into industrial and municipal systems, especially for hard-to-treat waters like high-salinity brines, landfill leachate, or petrochemical effluents.