Potential and analysis of an osmotic power plant in the Magdalena River using experimental field-data

Abstract

The Magdalena River mouth in Colombia is studied as a candidate site for a renewable power plant via osmotic energy technology, using pressure retarded osmosis. This power generation plant would operate through the controlled mix of two flows with different salinities (river water and sea water in this case study). A preliminary design of a pressure retarded osmosis power plant is proposed here by means of experimental data acquisition on-site at the river mouth. The obtained net power production is shown to reach 6 MW, with adequate membrane power densities above 5 W/m 2. These promising results consider energetic losses involved in the process, which have been further analysed to propose improvement targets in pretreatment processes and membrane permeability.

Generation of Osmotic Power from Membrane Technology

“…In the case study, the plant is operated through the controlled mix of two different flows having different salinities. Their obtained energy net production is 6 MW with above 5 W/m 2 membrane density [58]. They use the Lee model for the study of internal concentration polarization [59] and Achilli model for external concentration polarization [60].…”

A preface to the special issue of optimization and engineering dedicated to SDEWES 2020 conferences

“…Hydropower generation and its links with urban water management and flood risk mitigation were considered by Sahin et al ( 2017 ). The concept of osmotic power plant driven by the salinity gradient between seawater and river water in the mouth of Magdalena River in Colombia was presented by Salamanca et al ( 2019 ).…”

Microporous polymer membrane assisted water induced electricity generation based on triboelectrification and electrostatic induction

“…7 Thermal energy is harnessed for salinity power generation. 8 Kinetic energy is traditionally exploited by hydroelectric power stations, which form the foundation of the electricity supply. Typically, electricity generation using hydropower depends primarily on the conversion of the ow or fall of water using complex, heavy weights and bulky electromagnetic generators.…”