Benchtop RO Scaling Evaluation Platform (Method and Device for Testing the Effectiveness of Magnetic Treatment of Feed Water for Reducing Mineral Scaling in Reverse Osmosis Processes, Tech ID: 16‑024)
Technology Overview: A dual‑branch benchtop flow setup that quantifies the effectiveness of magnetic treatment on RO feed water under controlled supersaturation. Both branches run at identical flow and transmembrane pressure through RO membranes, but only one stream is exposed to a magnetic field—enabling direct, statistically robust comparisons of scale deposition.
Industry Pain Point: Utilities and industrial users face mineral scaling that degrades RO performance. Claims around magnetic water treatment vary, and lack of standardized, fast testing under relevant supersaturation conditions makes it hard to evaluate solutions.
NJIT Solution: Provide a controlled, short‑duration benchtop test that isolates magnetic‑field effects on scaling—supporting technology validation, vendor qualification, and R\&D on anti‑scaling strategies.
Key Features & Advantages
- Parallel A/B branch design for rigorous comparisons.
- Operates at a controlled supersaturation level relevant to RO.
- Accelerates screening/qualification of magnetic treatments and other anti‑scaling methods.
Development Stage: TRL 4–5 – Laboratory device with methodology also published validating test conditions.
Target Markets
- Desalination plants & industrial RO users
- Water treatment equipment vendors (conditioners, anti‑scalants)
- Testing labs & utility R\&D groups
Commercial & IP Details
Inventors: Ezinwa Elele; Katherine L. Guerra; Boris Khusid; Qian Lei; Frank Leitz; Yueyang Shen