Towards the Sea, Strive for StrengthⅡ

This is the second part of the series 'Towards the Sea, Strive for Strength' - the Technology Section.

1. Sailing Forward: Forging the "Core" Strength of Membrane Technology

In 2013, BOW's first reverse osmosis membrane production line was completed. This seemingly small step quietly opened the deep dialogue between China and 'membranes and oceans'.

After more than a decade of dedicated efforts, BOW has set sail for the future. Once the small production line has now grown into a large-scale RO membrane manufacturing base. Here, three series of membrane elements—seawater desalination membranes (SW), brackish water membranes (BW-LP), and ultra-low-pressure membranes (BW-ULP)—are produced continuously, with an annual production capacity reaching up to 19 million m², ranking among the top three in the world, with over 60 patents support.

Taking seawater desalination membranes as an example, they embody the wisdom of BOW: innovative Slot-die precision coating technology, anti-pollution coating 'armor', and meticulously designed component structures, which endow them with outstanding performance such as high desalination rates (≥99.82%), large water output, low-pressure operation, and strong anti-fouling capabilities, reaching international advanced levels and successfully being included in the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology's 'Directory of Major Environmental Protection Technology and Equipment Encouraged for Development'.

This membrane is the key 'core' through which China extracts water from the sea...

2. Riding Waves: The Synergy of Dual Membranes, China's Breakthrough

  The blue sea was long monopolized by foreign technology. BOW understands that core technology must be in its own hands. Through continuous efforts, BOW not only possesses a fully self-owned intellectual property rights seawater desalination reverse osmosis membrane production line but also innovatively developed a 'UF-RO' dual-membrane seawater desalination integrated technology based on domestic equipment.

This technology is advanced and economically feasible, with significant advantages such as low operating pressure, high freshwater output, and strong anti-pollution capability. It not only fills the domestic gap but also successfully enters the national strategic perspective. BOW has achieved full-chain self-control from membrane material to system engineering research and development, production, design, construction, and operation, providing a practical Chinese solution for solving the 'water shortage' in coastal areas of the country and firmly establishing its position as a leading pioneer in domestic seawater desalination.

After breaking foreign monopolies, BOW's RO membranes and dual-membrane seawater desalination technology embarked on a new journey of domestic substitution. Dongjiakou Seawater Desalination Plant successfully applied the dual-membrane process, becoming China's first large-scale seawater desalination project independently developed, designed, and built, with key technologies and equipment achieving domestication. The first phase of the Lubei Seawater Desalination Project also adopted dual-membrane process, continuously increasing the proportion of domesticated technologies and equipment, with energy consumption indicators reaching international advanced levels. In the second phase of the project, one production line achieved 100% domestically produced equipment.

Additionally, BOW's seawater desalination membranes have been implemented in multiple large-scale seawater desalination projects, such as in Liuheng Island, Zhoushan, Baifa, Qingdao, Dagang, Tianjin, and Yulong Petrochemical, in Yantai, marking a vigorous path of domestic substitution...

3. Voyaging Far: Exploring the Sea, A Symphony of Resources and Energy

    Pursuing strength, not limited to freshwater. BOW has set its sights on the more expansive 'deep sea'—comprehensive utilization of seawater resources. The innovative 'multi-membrane coupling technology' acts like a precise key, capable of separating, concentrating, purifying, and extracting minerals from seawater, targeting salt chemical raw materials, pharmaceutical-grade bromine, and valuable metals such as uranium and platinum. The efficient extraction of valuable resources from seawater is still in the blue ocean, with huge market potential.

    Simultaneously, a closed-loop exploration of energy and resources is underway. BOW actively researches 'energy gradient architecture optimization technology', thinking how to efficiently integrate seawater desalination with new energy (photovoltaic, wind power) and traditional energy (industrial waste heat, nuclear energy). Imagine: using photovoltaic energy during the day and wind energy in autumn to drive desalination; switching to thermal power at night or when wind is weak; recovering industrial waste heat, or even exploring the potential for coupling with nuclear energy. The extraction process of minerals from the ocean itself can also form feedback with the energy side.

The ocean space itself harbors exploitable new energy sources. This paints a future scenario: within the technological map of BOW, the seawater industry is expected to achieve a sustainable circular symbiosis model of 'resource extraction-energy utilization', turning the ocean into an inexhaustible resource treasure trove and a green energy base.

From the journey of a single drop of water, to the breakthrough of a membrane, and then to the exploration of deep-sea treasures, BOW weaves China's blue dream of maritime strength with innovative membrane fiber. Breaking through technological barriers, ensuring water security; exploring resource utilization, empowering the new economy; integrating green energy, leading sustainability. This is not only the growth story of BOW, but also the resounding footsteps of China's scientific and technological strength advancing into the depths of the ocean. The deep blue future is promising!