Performance evaluation of crossflow, pilot‐scale <scp>GUNT</scp> ‐ <scp>CE530</scp> reverse osmosis desalination system

Abstract Reverse osmosis (RO) is a vital separation technique used to remove dissolved salts from seawater and treat wastewater, based on the application of hydraulic pressure. This study evaluates the performance of the GUNT‐CE530 RO system using simulated seawater with salinity ranging from 0.83 to 5.0 g/L. Key operational parameters, viz.: permeate flux, retentate flow rate, and salt rejection, were monitored for 60 min. The initial permeate flux of 0.607 L/m 2 min declined to 0.22 L/m 2 min due to membrane fouling and pressure fluctuations. Despite this, salt rejection consistently remained high (92.41%–99.90%) throughout the desalination process, with complete rejection observed up to 200 g salt addition (0–40 min) under a stable 30 bar pressure. At higher salt loads (250–300 g), rejection declined slightly to 98.5%–98.7% as the pressure difference dropped to ~16 bar and permeate conductivity rose to 0.1 mS/cm. This indicates strong membrane performance under moderate salinity, with minor efficiency loss at elevated concentrations likely due to increased osmotic pressure and concentration polarization. While experimental limitations affected precise conductivity readings, the membrane exhibited consistently high salt rejection across a range of concentrations, confirming its effectiveness for brackish and seawater purification. These data underscore the need for stable pressure control, real‐time monitoring, and anti‐fouling strategies to sustain membrane efficiency and prolong system lifespan.