Alternative design to dual stage NF seawater desalination using high rejection brackish water membranes

► BWRO membrane was used in stage 2 of dual stage desalination instead of NF membrane. ► The Es was higher in the BWRO than in the NF but permeate TDS was lower. ► Using BWRO membrane in stage 2 reduced the system operating complicity. ► The BWRO recovery rate was higher than NF especially at high feed salinity. ► Practically, there are differences between the experimental and simulation results.