Pilot-Scale Hybrid Batch Reverse Osmosis for Energy-Efficient Wastewater Reuse

Hybrid Batch Reverse Osmosis enhances system performance by increasing water recovery rates to 90–95%

Salinity Solutions, in partnership with SUEZ, has announced the launch of the first municipal pilot of a Hybrid Batch Reverse Osmosis (HBRO) system. This pilot, based on Salinity’s patented technology, will be operated under real conditions at a wastewater treatment plant in Béziers, France, marking a significant step toward advancing large-scale water reuse solutions.
The growing pressure on global water resources largely driven by disruptions to the natural water cycle has intensified the need for energy-efficient and sustainable wastewater treatment technologies. In response, this collaboration aims to demonstrate a more economically viable and environmentally sustainable approach to water reuse.
The pilot project is supported by the French Environment and Energy Management Agency (ADEME). At the core of the system is Salinity’s patented HyBatch™ technology, a piston-driven pressure exchange process that enables repeated recycling of brine until the desired recovery rate is achieved. This innovative approach significantly enhances system performance by increasing water recovery rates to 90–95%, compared to approximately 85% in conventional reverse osmosis systems. In addition to improved recovery, the HBRO system reduces mineral scaling within the equipment and lowers the frequency of chemical cleaning. These benefits contribute to extended membrane lifespan and more efficient removal of contaminants such as dissolved salts, heavy metals, bacteria, and other pollutants.
Richard Bruges, CEO of Salinity Solutions, emphasized that the partnership with SUEZ represents a major advancement in redefining the economics and sustainability of water reuse. He noted that achieving high recovery rates reliably and efficiently at scale could establish a new global benchmark for advanced wastewater treatment technologies.
Similarly, Gregory Tesse, Infrastructure and Innovation Director for Engineering and Construction at SUEZ, highlighted that the initiative aims to reduce operational costs, thereby enabling municipalities and industries to adopt critical technologies necessary for preserving water resources.
Credit: Salinity Solutions