FRP Membrane Housings for Reverse Osmosis
and Nanofiltration Systems

Knappe Composites designs and manufactures Xtype FRP membrane housings for reverse osmosis (RO), nanofiltration (NF), brackish water and seawater desalination systems. Manufactured in Europe, Xtype housings are engineered for compact skid design, long service life, easy maintenance and compatibility with standard 8-inch membrane elements.

Xtype membrane housings

APPLICATION

Xtype FRP membrane housings are used in demanding water treatment projects where compact design, reliability and pressure resistance are essential. They are suitable for reverse osmosis and nanofiltration systems in drinking water production, industrial process water, ultrapure water, wastewater treatment, brackish water reverse osmosis (BWRO) and seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO).

  • Drinking water treatment
  • Industrial water treatment
  • Desalination
  • BWRO systems
  • SWRO systems
  • Ultrapure water
  • Wastewater treatment

European Manufacturer of FRP Membrane Housings

As a European manufacturer of FRP membrane housings, Knappe Composites controls the design and production of key components in-house. This allows better quality control, flexibility for OEMs and system integrators, and shorter lead times for international water treatment projects.

The Xtype design

Knappe Composites Xtype membrane housings are designed in accordance with EU Directive 2014/68 and ASME Section X and are known for their reliability, longevity, maximum performance and compatibility with a wide variety of fluids and chemicals in water treatment processes.

Knappe Composites Xtype membrane housings are designed to build compact systems with a small footprint.

International patents have been awarded.

Xtype design features

  • Modular design
    A modular system with heads and interchangeable ports from 1.5 to 4 inches in diameter for feed and 1.5 to 3 inches in diameter for brine and permeate. It is possible to have brine and permeate on the same side of the head, allowing, for example, installations with all manifolds and piping on one side.
  • Compact design to build systems with the smallest footprint on the market
    The square outside shape allows Xtype to be stacked directly on top of each other and the port coupler between the heads allow for a direct interconnection making Xtype the most compact membrane housing in the market.
  • Models of membrane housings
    Xtype is available from 1 to 6 standard elements in the version BW (for up to 31 bar/450PSI) and version SW (for up to 84 bar/1200PSI)
  • Easy inventory for resellers and better availability for OEMs
    Modular design simplifies stock keeping. All ports are mounted independently of the membrane housing on the first and last head of each row or column, allowing head orientation and port size to be selected or changed at any time. Ports are available as kits in various sizes from 1.5” to 4”.
  • Fewer manifolds / couplings required
    Xtype heads act as manifolds. No external manifolds are required for single or multi-stage systems with up to 6 interconnected membrane housings.
    No stainless steel couplings are required between the interconnected membrane housings.
    Up to 8 membrane housings in a row or 6 in a column reduces the number of expensive high-alloy ports and couplings. Manifolds or manifold welds are not required or significantly reduced.
  • Permeate monitoring and probing
    Permeate sampling valves, tubing, brackets, and fittings are available for monitoring permeate conductivity for each membrane housing and for manual probing for each membrane.
  • Inliner for a long product service life
    The thermoplastic liner provides permanent light protection and forms a smooth-surfaced barrier between the medium and the glass fiber-reinforced plastic. This protects against microbiological growth and degradation of the FRP structure from chemical attack, and ensures a weep- and leak-free housing.
  • Self-sealing end plate/head system
    The lip seal system is designed to ensure no leakage even at very low or zero pressure and to make the heads easy to install and remove.
  • Drinking water certification, French ACS
    Xtype has obtained the French ACS certificate for potablable water in 2021

    With Xtype, you get the most compact, potable water certified membrane housings, manufactured in Europe to the highest standards, leading to significant cost savings.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Key technical questions about Xtype FRP membrane housings for reverse osmosis and nanofiltration systems.

What is an FRP membrane housing?

An FRP membrane housing is a fiberglass reinforced pressure vessel designed to contain membrane elements used in reverse osmosis or nanofiltration systems.

Are Xtype membrane housings suitable for seawater reverse osmosis?

Yes. Xtype is available in SW versions for seawater reverse osmosis applications, with pressure ratings up to 84 bar / 1200 PSI.

Are Xtype housings compatible with standard RO membranes?

Yes. Xtype FRP membrane housings are designed for standard membrane elements, including standard 8-inch membrane configurations.

Where are Knappe membrane housings manufactured?

Knappe Composites manufactures its FRP membrane housings in Europe, with in-house production and engineering expertise.

OTHER PRODUCTS

SKIDS

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MANIFOLDS

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COUPLINGS, FLANGES, FITTINGS

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