Method And System For Internal Permeate Processing In Reverse Osmosis Membranes

A reverse osmosis system comprising:

• a multi-element membrane array having a plurality of membrane elements disposed in series;
• a plurality of permeate pipes receiving permeate from a respective one of the plurality of membrane elements, each of the plurality of membrane elements having an inlet and an outlet;
• a plurality of connectors coupling successive permeate pipes together, each of the plurality of connectors comprising one of a plurality of flow restrictors, each of the plurality of flow restrictors sized to restrict permeate flow into a subsequent permeate pipe of the plurality of permeate pipes, an area that fluid flows through increases in subsequent connectors;
• each connector of the plurality of connectors comprising a body having a connector inner wall defining a longitudinal passage therethrough, said body comprising an outer wall, an orifice plug within the longitudinal passage, said orifice plug separate from the body;
• and
• each orifice plug comprising a carrier body have a plug passage therethrough, each carrier body comprising an orifice plate comprising an orifice disposed within the plug passage, a spring disposed within the carrier body resisting movement of the orifice plate and flow restrictor at least partially receive within the orifice, whereby the flow restrictor comprises a contoured surface such that each subsequent orifice and flow restrictor combination changes an amount of fluid flowing through each connector.