Product Data Sheet

FilmTec™ BW30-400 Membranes

High Rejection, High Surface Area Brackish Water RO Element

Description The FilmTec™ BW30-400 is the product of choice when the highest quality permeate is
required.  It was the first 400 square foot membrane element on the market and continues
to be widely used in new equipment and retrofits where system capital and productivity
are factors.
l DuPont’s superior automated manufacturing technology results in the most

consistent performance element-to-element and year-after-year.  

l FilmTec™ BW30-400 Elements deliver high flow and high rejection without being

chlorinated during the manufacturing process.  This is one reason why FilmTec™
Elements are more durable and may be cleaned over a wider pH range (pH 1-13)
than other RO elements.
l With more than a decade of proven performance, FilmTec™ BW30-400 is the

product you can rely on for years of trouble-free operation.

Product Type Spiral-wound element with polyamide thin-film composite membrane

Typical Properties
Active Permeate flow
FilmTec™ Part area Feed spacer rate Stabilized salt Minimum salt
Element number ft 2 (m2) thickness (mil) gpd (m3/d) rejection (%) rejection (%)
BW30-400 98650 400 (37) 28 10,500 (40) 99.5 99.0

1. Permeate flow and salt rejection based on the following standard conditions: 2,000 ppm NaCl, 225 psi
(15.5 bar), 77°F (25°C), pH 8 and 15% recovery.
2. Flow rates for individual elements may vary but will be no more than 15% below the value shown.
3. Sales specifications may vary as design revisions take place.
4. Active area guaranteed +/-3%.  Active area as stated by DuPont is not comparable to nominal membrane
area often stated by some manufacturers. 

Element
Dimensions

Dimensions – inches (mm) 1 inch = 25.4 mm

FilmTec™ Element A B C
BW30-400 40.0 (1,016) 1.125 ID (29) 7.9 (201)

1. Refer to FilmTec™ Design Guidelines for multiple-element systems of 8-inch elements

(Form No. 45-D01695-en) and recommended element recovery rates for various feed sources.
2. Element to fit nominal 8.0-inch (203 mm) I.D. pressure vessel.

Page 1 of 3 Form No. 45-D01505-en, Rev. 3

October 2020
 Suggested Membrane Type Polyamide Thin-Film Composite
Maximum Operating Temperaturea 113°F (45°C)
Operating
Maximum Operating Pressure 600 psig (41 bar)
Conditions
Maximum Pressure Drop 15 psig (1.0 bar)
pH Range
Continuous Operationa 2 - 11
Short-Term Cleaning (30 min.) b 1 - 13
Maximum Feed Flow 70 gpm (15.9 m3/hr)
Maximum Feed Silt Density Index SDI 5
Free Chlorine Tolerancec < 0.1 ppm

a. Maximum temperature for continuous operation above pH 10 is 95°F (35°C).

b. Refer to Cleaning Guidelines (Form No. 45-D01696-en).
c. Under certain conditions, the presence of free chlorine and other oxidizing agents will cause premature
membrane failure.  Since oxidation damage is not covered under warranty, DuPont recommends removing
residual free chlorine by pretreatment prior to membrane exposure.  Please refer to Dechlorinating
Feedwater (Form No. 45-D01569-en) for more information.

Important Proper start-up of reverse osmosis water treatment systems is essential to prepare the
Information membranes for operating service and to prevent membrane damage due to overfeeding
or hydraulic shock.  Following the proper start-up sequence also helps ensure that
system operating parameters conform to design specifications so that system water
quality and productivity goals can be achieved.

Before initiating system start-up procedures, membrane pretreatment, loading of the

membrane elements, instrument calibration and other system checks should be
completed.

Please refer to the application information literature entitled Start-Up Sequence

(Form No. 45-D01609-en) for more information.

Operation Avoid any abrupt pressure or cross-flow variations on the spiral elements during start-up,
Guidelines shutdown, cleaning or other sequences to prevent possible membrane damage.  During
start-up, a gradual change from a standstill to operating state is recommended as
follows:
l Feed pressure should be increased gradually over a 30-60 second time frame.

l Cross-flow velocity at set operating point should be achieved gradually over 15-

20 seconds.

General l Keep elements moist at all times after initial wetting.

Information l If operating limits and guidelines given in this bulletin are not strictly followed, the
FilmTec™ Reverse Osmosis and Nanofiltration Three-Year Prorated Limited
Warranty (Form No. 45-D00903-en) will be null and void.
l To prevent biological growth during prolonged system shutdowns, it is recommended
that membrane elements be immersed in a preservative solution.
l The customer is fully responsible for the effects of incompatible chemicals and
lubricants on elements.
l Maximum pressure drop across an entire pressure vessel (housing) is 50 psi (3.4 bar).
l Avoid static permeate-side backpressure at all times.

Page 2 of 3 Form No. 45-D01505-en, Rev. 3

October 2020
 Product DuPont has a fundamental concern for all who make, distribute, and use its products, and
Stewardship for the environment in which we live. This concern is the basis for our product stewardship
philosophy by which we assess the safety, health, and environmental information on our
products and then take appropriate steps to protect employee and public health and our
environment. The success of our product stewardship program rests with each and every
individual involved with DuPont products—from the initial concept and research, to
manufacture, use, sale, disposal, and recycle of each product.

Customer Notice DuPont strongly encourages its customers to review both their manufacturing processes
and their applications of DuPont products from the standpoint of human health and
environmental quality to ensure that DuPont products are not used in ways for which they
are not intended or tested. DuPont personnel are available to answer your questions and to
provide reasonable technical support. DuPont product literature, including safety data
sheets, should be consulted prior to use of DuPont products. Current safety data sheets are
available from DuPont.

Please be aware of the following:

l The use of this product in and of itself does not necessarily guarantee the removal

of cysts and pathogens from water. Effective cyst and pathogen reduction is
dependent on the complete system design and on the operation and maintenance
of the system.
l Permeate obtained from the first hour of operation should be discarded.

Regulatory Note This product may be subject to drinking water application restrictions in some countries;
please check the application status before use and sale.

Have a question? Contact us at: All information set forth herein is for informational purposes only. This information is general information and may differ from that based
on actual conditions. Customer is responsible for determining whether products and the information in this document are appropriate for
www.dupont.com/water/contact-us
Customer's use and for ensuring that Customer's workplace and disposal practices are in compliance with applicable laws and other
government enactments. The product shown in this literature may not be available for sale and/or available in all geographies where
DuPont is represented. The claims made may not have been approved for use in all countries. Please note that physical properties may
vary depending on certain conditions and while operating conditions stated in this document are intended to lengthen product lifespan
and/or improve product performance, it will ultimately depend on actual circumstances and is in no event a guarantee of achieving any
specific results. DuPont assumes no obligation or liability for the information in this document. References to “DuPont” or the “Company”
mean the DuPont legal entity selling the products to Customer unless otherwise expressly noted. NO WARRANTIES ARE GIVEN; ALL
IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE EXPRESSLY EXCLUDED. No
freedom from infringement of any patent or trademark owned by DuPont or others is to be inferred.

© 2020 DuPont. DuPont™, the DuPont Oval Logo, and all trademarks and service marks denoted with ™, ℠ or ® are owned by
affiliates of DuPont de Nemours Inc., unless otherwise noted.

Page 3 of 3 Form No. 45-D01505-en, Rev. 3

October 2020