Reverse osmosis (RO) has long been used as a catch-all in water treatment. From desalination to final polishing, membrane systems are everywhere. But when it comes to metal-laden wastewater—especially copper, manganese, or peroxide-bearing streams—RO often delivers more frustration than results.
That’s where ElectraMet comes in.
Our technology isn’t a membrane. It’s a selective, electrochemical process that removes dissolved metals cleanly and efficiently—without producing brine or sludge. And in many cases, it can eliminate the need for RO altogether.
Why RO Isn’t Ideal for Metal-Contaminated Wastewater
RO was designed for salts and organics—not for dissolved metals. When exposed to metals, membranes often:
- Foul rapidly, especially in streams with copper, tin, or manganese
- Require complex pretreatment (filtration, anti-scalants, pH balancing)
- Generate brine that’s difficult and expensive to manage
- Offer no recovery—just concentrated waste
- Consume large amounts of energy and require high-pressure systems
In other words: overkill for metal removal. And worse, they can become a maintenance nightmare.
ElectraMet: A Targeted Solution for Dissolved Metals
Instead of filtering everything, ElectraMet zeroes in on dissolved metals and oxidants, removing them selectively and capturing them as pure solids. This enables:
- No brine
- No membranes
- No chemicals or consumables
- Recoverable metal value
- Lower energy use
- Clean effluent ready for reuse or discharge
Where RO dilutes and discards, ElectraMet captures and reclaims.
Clean Enough to Treat — But Not a Mud Filter
ElectraMet performs best on moderately clean streams—and we can handle some TSS and FOGs, thanks to integrated micron filtration. But:
- Heavily solids-laden influent (think: mud, sludge, slurries) is not a fit
- High organics or unfiltered bulk waste require pretreatment
- We’re not a replacement for advanced filtration systems
Most customers install a micron filter upstream, which ensures reliable, efficient performance. If your stream is liquid—but not sludge—you’re likely in the sweet spot.
RO vs. ElectraMet: What the Numbers Say
| Feature | Reverse Osmosis (RO) | ElectraMet |
|---|---|---|
| Target Contaminants | Salts, organics (low metal removal) | Dissolved metals, oxidants |
| Fouling Risk (w/ metals) | High | Low (with clean feedwater) |
| Brine Generation | Yes – creates disposal burden | No |
| Metal Recovery | No – all goes to waste | Yes – solid metal recovered |
| Energy Use | High – pressure-driven | Low – voltage only |
| Maintenance Needs | High – membranes clog/foul | Low – no membranes or chemical media |
| Reuse Potential | Limited – due to brine | High – effluent can be reused or discharged |
When RO Still Has a Role
ElectraMet is not a total membrane replacement for every application. RO may still make sense when:
- Multiple contaminants (salts, organics, metals) coexist in complex streams
- Advanced polishing is needed after primary treatment
- Sites are already built around membrane infrastructure
In those cases, ElectraMet can serve as a front-end solution, removing metals before RO to reduce fouling, extend membrane life, and minimize brine volume.
Better Together: ElectraMet + Smart Pretreatment
By combining ElectraMet with basic filtration upstream—and RO or other technologies downstream where needed—manufacturers can:
- Eliminate brine
- Recover valuable metals
- Reduce energy usage
- Improve system uptime
- Reuse water and acid internally
It’s a smarter, cleaner way to manage high-value wastewater.
Want to See If You Can Ditch RO?
Send us a sample. We’ll run a stream analysis and show you what ElectraMet can remove—before you spend another dime maintaining a fouled-out membrane system.