Compliance & Document Hub
- USA FDA Food Additive Status: Complies with the U.S. Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act under Food Additive Regulation 21 CFR § 177.2550 for processing liquid food and purifying water for food manufacturing.
- Potable Water Contact Materials: Element parts and materials in contact with potable water are compliant with 21 CFR § 170 to 199.
Executive Product Summary
The DuPont FilmTec™ BW30HRLE-440i Element represents a highly advanced engineering solution for reverse osmosis plant managers and industrial procurement specialists who require uncompromising water purity combined with significant reductions in energy consumption. Designed as a Brackish Water Reverse Osmosis (BWRO) 8-inch element, this membrane utilizes a state-of-the-art polyamide thin-film composite chemistry. The primary functional advantage of the BW30HRLE-440i is its High Rejection, Low Energy (HRLE) classification, meaning it delivers an outstanding stabilized salt rejection rate of 99.3% (with a strict minimum of 99.1%) while operating at substantially lower feed pressures (150 psi test condition) than conventional brackish water membranes. The membrane yields a robust permeate flow rate of 12,650 gallons per day (48 cubic meters per day).
Beyond standard sodium chloride rejection, the DuPont FilmTec BW30HRLE-440i is engineered to deliver exceptional rejection rates for challenging, low-molecular-weight contaminants. The technical data specifically highlights excellent rejection capabilities for silica, boron, nitrate, isopropyl alcohol (IPA), and ammonium. This makes the element exceptionally well-suited for high-purity industrial demineralization and ultrapure water (UPW) pretreatment applications where trace contaminant breakthrough must be tightly controlled. The element maximizes throughput by incorporating an expansive 440 square feet (41 square meters) of active membrane area, optimized in conjunction with a 28-mil feed spacer. This specific spacer thickness provides an ideal engineering balance, maximizing the active area available for filtration while maintaining sufficient channel width to resist fouling and scale accumulation in controlled pretreatment waters.
A critical mechanical advancement in this specific model (denoted by the 'i' in the part number) is the inclusion of DuPont's proprietary iLEC™ (Interlocking End Cap) technology. Traditional 8-inch reverse osmosis elements rely on standard sliding interconnectors fitted with external O-rings to link elements within a pressure vessel. Over time, these O-rings can roll, degrade, or fail due to pressure fluctuations, leading to permeate contamination and poor water quality. The iLEC™ design eliminates this risk by utilizing a mechanically interlocking end cap system that creates a secure, leak-free seal between elements. This significantly reduces the risk of O-ring leaks, simplifies element loading and unloading procedures, and directly lowers system operating costs and OPEX by minimizing maintenance downtime.
The operational envelope of the BW30HRLE-440i is highly robust, supporting a maximum operating pressure of 600 psi (41 bar) and maximum feed flows of 75 gallons per minute (17 cubic meters per hour). For facility engineers, the membrane offers superior chemical tolerance, supporting a continuous operating pH range of 2 to 11. More importantly, it features the industry's widest short-term cleaning pH range of 1 to 13. This exceptional durability allows operators to utilize aggressive Clean-In-Place (CIP) chemical regimes to effectively strip severe biological fouling, scaling, and organic deposition without structurally degrading the delicate thin-film composite layer, thereby extending the total operational lifespan of the membrane and reducing total cost of ownership (TCO).
Applications & Industry Use-Cases
- Second Pass RO Systems: Ideal for multi-pass configurations due to its impressive 99.3% stabilized salt rejection, ensuring high-quality permeate for subsequent treatment stages.
- Industrial Utility Water Production: High volumetric output capability (12,650 gpd) combined with low operating pressures significantly reduces the OPEX associated with high-volume industrial boiler feed and cooling tower makeup water.
- Ultrapure Water (UPW) Generation: Provides essential pretreatment for electronics and semiconductor manufacturing by delivering excellent rejection of critical contaminants like silica, boron, and isopropyl alcohol (IPA).
- Food & Beverage Manufacturing: Fully compliant with USA FDA 21 CFR § 177.2550, allowing safe integration into ingredient water purification, liquid food processing, and beverage bottling facilities.
- Seawater Desalination Pre-treatment: Features a robust polyamide thin-film composite structure capable of withstanding maximum operating pressures up to 600 psi (41 bar) during heavy industrial desalination support.
- Industrial Water Demineralization: Engineered for severe industrial environments, leveraging a 1 to 13 short-term cleaning pH range to handle aggressive chemical cleaning against heavy organic and inorganic fouling.
Cross-Compatibility & System Integration
The DuPont FilmTec™ BW30HRLE-440i is manufactured to universally recognized industrial dimensional standards, making it a drop-in replacement for existing 8-inch reverse osmosis systems. The element features a standard outer diameter of 7.9 inches (201 mm) and a continuous connected network length of 40.0 inches (1,016 mm), allowing seamless integration into any standard 8-inch internal diameter pressure vessel. The center permeate tube features an inner diameter (ID) of 1.125 inches (29 mm).
The defining integration feature of the BW30HRLE-440i is the integrated iLEC™ (Interlocking End Cap) system. Because the end caps physically interlock with adjacent elements within the pressure vessel, there is no need for separate external interconnector couplers or traditional sliding O-rings between the membranes. When fully connected via the iLEC system, the net length of the element rests exactly at 40.0 inches (1,016 mm), although individual unpacked elements measure slightly longer at 40.5 inches (1,029 mm) due to the interlocking mechanisms. The unit is fitted with a U-Cup brine seal to ensure proper unidirectional feed flow along the 28-mil feed spacer channel. Buyers must verify that their system's pressure vessels can accommodate the 50 psi (3.5 bar) maximum pressure drop calculated across a minimum four-element array configuration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the permeate flow rate of the DuPont FilmTec BW30HRLE-440i?
The element produces a permeate flow rate of 12,650 gallons per day (48 cubic meters per day) when tested under standard 150 psi brackish water conditions.
Q: Is the FilmTec BW30HRLE-440i approved for food and beverage applications?
Yes, the element complies with the U.S. Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act under Food Additive Regulation 21 CFR § 177.2550 for purifying water for food manufacturing. Its contact materials also meet 21 CFR § 170 to 199 standards.
Q: What are the primary dimensions of this RO membrane?
The unit features a standard 8-inch profile with an actual outer diameter of 7.9 inches (201 mm). When installed and connected via the interlocking end caps, the net operating length is exactly 40.0 inches (1,016 mm).
Q: What is the maximum operating temperature and pressure for this element?
The membrane can withstand a maximum operating pressure of 600 psi (41 bar) and a maximum operating temperature of 113°F (45°C). However, if operating continuously above pH 10, the maximum temperature is restricted to 95°F (35°C).
Q: What is the advantage of the iLEC™ end cap design?
The iLEC (Interlocking End Cap) design creates a secure mechanical seal between elements, completely eliminating the need for traditional sliding O-rings. This reduces the risk of leaks, prevents permeate contamination, and lowers ongoing maintenance costs.
Q: Where can I source the DuPont FilmTec BW30HRLE-440i in bulk?
You can purchase this element globally through Growthbet LTD. We offer full-liability DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) shipping. Please contact sales@growthbet.net for formal project pricing.
Source This Product From Growthbet LTD
Growthbet LTD is a UK-registered global industrial procurement company specializing in sourcing and delivering technical components under a full-liability DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) model. When you source through Growthbet, the company assumes complete responsibility for supplier verification, quality control, international freight, customs clearance, and last-mile delivery to your facility — with a single, transparent invoice and no hidden costs.
- Bulk & Project Pricing: Competitive DDP landed-cost quotations for any volume, from single units to full-container orders.
- 48-Hour Quotation Response: Submit your specifications and quantity, and receive a formal sourcing brief within 48 hours.
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📧 Request a Quote: Email sales@growthbet.net with the product name, quantity, and delivery destination. 📞 Call: +44 7897470885.