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Jan 12, 2018·8 min read
Comparing Two of AMPACs Most Sold Reverse Osmosis Systems
Reverse Osmosis

Comparing Two of AMPAC’s Most Prized Reverse Osmosis Systems

Sammy FaragAMPAC USA — January 12, 2018

Comparing Two of AMPAC’s Most Prized Reverse Osmosis Systems

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Quick Answer: AMPAC USA reverse osmosis systems range from compact residential units to industrial-scale commercial systems. Key differences between models include flow rate (GPD), number of treatment stages, membrane type (brackish vs. seawater), pre-treatment configuration, pressure vessel material, control automation level, and NSF/ANSI certification scope. Matching the system to your feed water chemistry and production demand is critical for optimal performance.

AMPAC USA prides itself on creating unique products for all the customers, be it household, commercial or industrial reverse osmosis seekers. Though all the products we create offer perfect water purity by trapping the contaminants, all the products have their own features. Here we are comparing two of our most loved products, AP10K-LX and SW100K-LX-C. Have a look and decide which one would serve you better.

Introduction

The AP10K-LX is an industrial reverse osmosis system that produces 10,000 GPD of water. It meets the requirements of commercial pure water consumers who have access to unclean, brackish or well sources of water.

In contrast, SW100K-LX-C is a fully automated reverse osmosis and seawater desalination system that can produce 100, 000 GPD of water. It is most suitable for communities and industries with bulk water needs and a natural source of this precious resource nearby.

Usage and Application

AP10K-LX is suitable for use by commercial establishments like coffee shops, restaurants, microbrewers, convenience stores, car wash facilities, food preparation operations, misting and humidification systems among others.

SW100K-LX-C is suitable for serving the huge water needs of industries like oil, energy, hospitality (resorts and giant hotels) among others. It is also suitable for communities where bulk water needs need to be met, and there is lack of pure water.

Treatment Options

AP10K-LX purifies water by using reverse osmosis technology while SW100K-LX-C makes use of both reverse osmosis and seawater desalination processes.

Built

AP10K-LX’s frames are built by using stainless steel pressure vessels and fastening hardware. It ensures strength and corrosion prevention which is a must in a commercial or industrial establishment. SW100K-LX-C has two 40′ containers, one of which is a high cube that includes desalination plant while the second has win Alternating 250KW Diesel Generators which can be used to power the plant.

Remote Access

SW100K-LX-C has a Siemens PLC controller with a web server and MODBUS communication which ensures remote monitoring and operation because this product is often used at remote locations where hiring an operator is not possible. AP10K-LX has no remote monitoring or operations available because it is usually installed near an establishment or industry.

Filters

SW100K-LX-C has a Multimedia Carbon Pre-Filter that gets rid of bacteria & chlorine while adjusting the pH of the water. It also has a Spin Down Pre-Filter for large particle removal & corrosion resistance and Sediment Pre-Filter for getting rid of sand, dirt, and sediment. AP10K-LX has multimedia KDF-Catalytic Carbon-Poly Phosphate Pre-Filter and Two 4” x 20” Big Blue Sediment Pre-Filter with 05 Micron in Parallel.

Pumps

AP10K-LX has a smart on-demand pump that increased feed water pressure 1HP while SW100K-LX-C has two pumps that supply the unit with seawater that was stored in settling tanks with needed pressure and flow. One of these is set on variable frequency drive, and the second is set on a pressure sensor.

Post Filtration

SW100K-LX-C has ceramic post filters that remove particles while keeping the mineral and oxygen content unchanged. AP10K-LX has a 4” x 10” Big Blue Carbon Post-Filter with 05 Micron.

UV Sterilization

Both these products recognize the value of ultraviolet sterilization as it eliminates microorganisms and disinfects water.

Conclusion

In essence, it can be seen that both these products have their own value. Though SW100K-LX-C has way more features and add-ons than AP10K-LX, the latter holds its own due to its own rich features. We suggest that anyone seeking any of these two products should not compare them but compare his or her needs with the features and select a product that meets their needs. You can also request AMPAC USA to create an amazing customized product for you with all the features you need. We have never failed to deliver and we won’t do it ever, it’s a promise!

What flow rates are available for emergency water treatment?

AMPAC USA's emergency systems range from 1,500 GPD portable units to 50,000+ GPD trailer-mounted systems. Military-specification units are available for forward operating base deployment, producing potable water meeting EPA and WHO drinking water standards from virtually any source.

Are emergency RO systems suitable for disaster relief operations?

Yes. AMPAC USA's emergency systems are used by FEMA, the U.S. military, and international NGOs for disaster relief. They treat flood water, contaminated groundwater, and brackish sources, removing bacteria, viruses, and chemical contaminants to produce safe drinking water on-site.

What power sources can emergency water purification systems use?

AMPAC USA's emergency systems can run on generator power (120/240V or 480V 3-phase), solar panels with battery backup, or vehicle power take-off (PTO). Low-power models consume as little as 0.5 kW, making them viable for off-grid deployment.

How durable are military-grade water purification systems?

AMPAC USA's military systems are built to MIL-SPEC standards with stainless steel frames, powder-coated components, and UV-resistant materials. They are designed to operate in temperatures from -20°F to 120°F and are vibration-tested for transport in military vehicles.

Conclusion

This post highlighted how emergency and military-grade water purification systems provide safe drinking water rapidly in the most challenging field conditions. For organizations requiring deployable water treatment capability, AMPAC USA engineers portable and trailer-mounted systems built to perform wherever they are needed. Contact our team at [email protected] or (909) 548-4900 to discuss your emergency water treatment requirements.

Selecting the Right AMPAC USA RO System: Key Comparison Factors

AMPAC USA manufactures reverse osmosis systems across a broad application spectrum — from compact 50 GPD residential drinking water units to multi-stage industrial systems producing 100,000+ GPD for manufacturing, food processing, pharmaceutical production, and municipal augmentation. Choosing between systems requires evaluating several interconnected technical parameters that determine whether a given system will meet your water quality and production volume requirements reliably and cost-effectively.

Membrane selection is determined primarily by feed water TDS. Brackish water (BW) membranes operate at 150-400 PSI and achieve 99%+ salt rejection on feed water up to approximately 10,000 mg/L TDS. Low energy (LE) membrane variants provide equivalent rejection at lower operating pressure, reducing energy consumption and pump wear for low-salinity feeds. High-rejection (HR) variants achieve 99.6%+ rejection for applications requiring ultra-low product water TDS. Seawater (SW) membranes are engineered for feeds above 10,000 mg/L TDS, operating at 600-1,200 PSI with specialized high-pressure pump and vessel components. Selecting the wrong membrane class — for example, applying a BW membrane to seawater feed — results in inadequate rejection, reduced membrane life, and potential mechanical failure.

Pre-treatment matching is equally critical. AMPAC USA system designs specify pre-treatment based on feed water analysis: SDI under 5 for RO membranes (requiring media filtration for surface water sources), chlorine-free feed (carbon filtration or bisulfite dosing for chlorinated feeds), antiscalant dosing for scaling ions (calcium, magnesium, barium, strontium, silica), and pH adjustment for carbonate system management. Systems with undersized or mismatched pre-treatment experience premature membrane fouling and shortened service intervals, increasing total operating cost significantly over the system’s life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the difference between a residential and commercial RO system?

A: Residential RO systems are designed for intermittent use, typically produce 50-200 GPD, and use standard 2×12 or 1.8×12 membrane elements. Commercial systems are designed for continuous operation, use larger 4×40 or 8×40 membrane elements, and include automated controls, pressure gauges, and sampling ports for performance monitoring.

Q: How do I know what capacity RO system I need?

A: Calculate your daily water demand in gallons, add a safety factor of 25-50%, and account for the system recovery rate (typically 50-75% for commercial systems). For example, if you need 500 GPD of product water at 75% recovery, you need a system that can process approximately 667 GPD of feed water.

Q: What is the difference between brackish water and seawater RO membranes?

A: Brackish water (BW) membranes handle feed TDS up to 10,000 mg/L at 150-400 PSI operating pressure. Seawater (SW) membranes handle 30,000-45,000 mg/L TDS but require 800-1,200 PSI. Using SW membranes on low-TDS water is inefficient; using BW membranes on seawater results in inadequate salt rejection.

Q: What certifications should I look for in an RO system?

A: Look for NSF/ANSI 58 certification for residential systems (contaminant reduction claims), NSF/ANSI 61 for materials safety, and NSF/ANSI 42 for aesthetic improvement claims. WQA (Water Quality Association) Gold Seal is another respected third-party certification.

Q: How important is pre-treatment for an RO system?

A: Pre-treatment is critically important — inadequate pre-treatment is the primary cause of premature membrane fouling, scaling, and failure. A proper system design starts with water analysis and specifies appropriate pre-treatment (sediment filtration, carbon, softening, antiscalant) matched to feed water chemistry.

Q: What are the operating costs of a commercial RO system?

A: Operating costs include electricity (typically 0.3-0.7 kWh per 1,000 gallons for brackish water RO), membrane replacement (every 3-7 years), pre-filter cartridge replacement, chemical costs (antiscalant, cleaning chemicals), and maintenance labor. Total operating cost is typically $0.01-0.05 per gallon for municipal feed water.

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