Predicting the Specific Energy Consumption of Reverse Osmosis Desalination

Stillwell, Ashlynn S.; Webber, Michael E.

doi:10.3390/w8120601

Cited by 73 publications

(50 citation statements)

References 57 publications

(93 reference statements)

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“…The proposed SPE approach has clear advantages over previously published conventional energetic and primary energy (PE) methodologies 39,40 as it can maximize the potential by considering the extreme temperature of a process, adiabatic flame temperature to the ambient. This methodology is more accurate for input energy apportionment by considering the equivalent work approach.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This new improved figure of merit, called the standard universal performance ratio (SUPR), is calculated based on SPE and presented in Table 2. 39,40 It can be noticed that all desalination processes are operating at only 10-13% of thermodynamic limit (TL). These low efficiency levels are deemed unsustainable for future desalinated water supplies.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A standard primary energy approach for comparing desalination processes

2019

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Considering different grades of energy as equivalent in the desalination industry could have negative economic and environmental consequences. Whereas this approach will suffice for the comparison of same energy input processes, omitting the grade of energy when comparing diverse technologies may lead to incorrect conclusions and, resultantly, inefficient installations. Here, a standard primary energy-based thermodynamic framework is presented that addresses the energy efficacy of assorted desalination processes. Example calculations show that a thermal desalination plant integrated with a power plant consumes 2-3% of input standard primary energy. We also propose a standard universal performance ratio methodology to provide a level playing field for the comparison of desalination processes; this suggest that the majority of desalination processes are operating far from the sustainable zone, with only~10-13% at the ideal or thermodynamic limit. A proposed roadmap shows that attaining an efficacy level of up to 25-30% of the thermodynamic limit is crucial for achieving the 2030 sustainability development goals for seawater desalination, which will require a technological shift in the capability of dissolved salts separation processes.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A standard primary energy approach for comparing desalination processes

2019

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“…Among the current desalination technologies used in full-scale plants, RO is the most energy-efficient one [1]. Nonetheless, RO is an intensive energy consumption process [3,4]. One of the main challenges to improve RO efficiency is related to decreasing specific energy consumption (SEC) [5,6] and the fouling effects on spiral-wound membrane modules (SWMMs) of RO.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Feed Spacer Geometries and Permeability Coefficients. Effect on the Performance in BWRO Spriral-Wound Membrane Modules

Ruiz-García

Nuez

2019

Water

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Reverse osmosis (RO) is the most widely used technology to desalinate brackish water and seawater. Significant efforts have been made in recent decades to improve RO efficiency. Feed spacer geometry design is a very important factor in RO membrane performance. In this work, correlations based on computational fluid dynamics and experimental work were applied in an algorithm to simulate the effect of different feed spacer geometries in full-scale brackish water reverse osmosis (BWRO) membranes with different permeability coefficients. The aim of this work was to evaluate the impact of feed spacers in conjunction with the permeability coefficients on membrane performance. The results showed a greater impact of feed spacer geometries in the membrane with the highest water permeability coefficient (A). Studying only one single element in a series, variations due to feed spacer geometries were observed in specific energy consumption ( S E C ) and permeate concentration ( C p ) of about 6.83% and 10.42%, respectively. Allowing the rolling of commercial membranes with different feed spacer geometries depending on the operating conditions could optimize the RO process.

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“…The desalination process essentially separates saline water into two streams-one that has a low salt concentration (permeated flowrate, or product water), and the other with a higher salt concentration than the original feed water (brine flowrate, or simply concentrate) [18]. The seawater desalination is an energy-intensive consumption process [19][20][21][22][23].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Real-Time Implementation of an Expert Model Predictive Controller in a Pilot-Scale Reverse Osmosis Plant for Brackish and Seawater Desalination

et al. 2019

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This article addresses the design and real-time implementation of an expert model predictive controller (Expert MPC) for the control of the brackish and seawater desalination process in a pilot-scale reverse osmosis (RO) plant. This pilot-scale plant is used in order to obtain the optimal operation conditions of the RO desalination process through the implementation of different control strategies, as well as in the training of operators in the new control and management technologies. A dynamical mathematical model of this plant has been developed based on the available field data and system identification procedures. Predictions of the obtained model were in good agreement with the available field data. The designed Expert MPC is distinguished by having a plant identification block and an expert system. The expert system, using a rule-based approach and the evolution of the plant variables, can modify the plant identification block, the plant prediction model, and/or the optimizer in order to improve the performance, robustness and operational safety of the overall control system. The real-time comparison results of the designed Expert MPC and a well-designed model predictive controller (MPC) show that the proposed Expert MPC has a significantly better performance and, therefore, higher accuracy and robustness.

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Predicting the Specific Energy Consumption of Reverse Osmosis Desalination

Cited by 73 publications

References 57 publications

A standard primary energy approach for comparing desalination processes

A standard primary energy approach for comparing desalination processes

Feed Spacer Geometries and Permeability Coefficients. Effect on the Performance in BWRO Spriral-Wound Membrane Modules

Real-Time Implementation of an Expert Model Predictive Controller in a Pilot-Scale Reverse Osmosis Plant for Brackish and Seawater Desalination

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