The present invention provides a method of removing contaminants from
water which includes the steps of first providing a water feed exposed to
at least one hydrocarbon or chemical process. This water feed is set
in-line with a reverse osmosis system which includes an inlet, at least
one reverse osmosis membrane, a permeate outlet, and a reject outlet.
Then, pressure is applied to the water feed, or where the pressure of the
water feed is higher than desired, the pressure is controlled or reduced.
The pressure of the water feed serves to force the water feed through the
reverse osmosis system. The reverse osmosis system then separates the
water feed into a permeate and reject which includes at least one of the
contaminants. The permeate is then directed to the permeate outlet and
the reject is directed to the reject outlet.