The scope to improve the efficiency of solar-powered reverse osmosis

Qiu, Tianyu; Davies, Philip A.

doi:10.5004/dwt.2011.3126

Cited by 13 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 94 publications

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“…A number of brackish water PV-RO systems have also been reported [3]. The energy efficiency ratio (which compares performance to the thermodynamically ideal case) for the brackish water (BW) systems is lower than for seawater solar PV-RO systems -indicating greater scope for improvement [4]. Solar PV-RO BW systems can solve the lack of access to electricity and fresh water in remote inland areas, but the major drawbacks holding back the application of such systems are their low efficiencies and low recovery ratios.…”

Section: Symbolmentioning

confidence: 99%

Concentration polarization model of spiral-wound membrane modules with application to batch-mode RO desalination of brackish water

Qiu

Davies

2015

Desalination

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Batch-mode RO (batch-RO) operation is considered a promising desalination method due to its low energy requirement compared to other RO system arrangements. To improve and predict batch-RO performance, studies on concentration polarization (CP) are carried out. The Kimura-Sourirajan mass-transfer model is applied and validated by experimentation with two different spiral-wound RO elements. Explicit analytical Sherwood correlations are derived based on experimental results. For batch-RO operation, a new genetic algorithm method is developed to estimate the Sherwood correlation parameters, taking into account the effects of variation in operating parameters. Analytical procedures are presented, then the mass transfer coefficient models are developed for different operation processes, i.e. batch RO and continuous RO. The CP related energy loss in batch-RO operation is quantified based on the resulting relationship between feed flow rates and mass transfer coefficients. It is found that CP increases energy consumption in batch RO by about 25% compared to the ideal case in which CP is absent. For continuous RO process, the derived Sherwood correlation predicted CP accurately. In addition, we determined the optimum feed flow rate of our batch-RO system.

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Section: Symbolmentioning

confidence: 99%

Concentration polarization model of spiral-wound membrane modules with application to batch-mode RO desalination of brackish water

Qiu

Davies

2015

Desalination

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“…So, the issue is to develop energy efficient desalination minimizing discharge of brine and making environment friendly. More research is needed to develop cost effective and environment friendly desalination technology [68,69].…”

Section: Challenges Of Desalinationmentioning

confidence: 99%

World’s Demand for Food and Water: The Consequences of Climate Change

Islam¹,

Karim²

2020

Desalination - Challenges and Opportunities

100

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This study focused on analysis of global food demand and supply situation by 2030 and 2050, water demand-availability, impact of climate change on world water resource, food security and desalination challenges and development opportunities. The population of the world will be 8.6 billion in 2030 and 9.8 billion in 2050; Africa will be the major contributor. World cereal equivalent (CE) food demand is projected to be around 10,094 million tons in 2030 and 14,886 million tons in 2050, while its production is projected to be 10,120 million tons in 2030 and 15,970 million tons in 2050 having a marginal surplus. India and China are capturing large share of global food demand. The developing country will demand more animal origin foods due to income growth in the future. The growth rate of world demand for cereals will decline till 2050. Global water demand is projected to increase by 55% between 2000 and 2050 from 3500 to 5425 km 3. Evidence showed that climate change will have adverse impact on world water resources and food production with high degree of regional variability and scarcity. A number of options are suggested for development of global water resource and food production.

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“…Over the years, there have been a number studies on alternative energy (especially solar) driven desalination technologies [4]. Reverse osmosis (RO) technique is increasingly gaining popularity over thermal distillation, as it is considered more energy efficient, due to its relatively lower specific energy consumption (SEC) [5]. RO desalination is a mechanical separation technique which involves the application of pressure to saline water against a semipermeable membrane, such that water is forced through the membrane as permeate, leaving behind the salt particles as concentrate.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Low-temperature organic Rankine cycle engine with isothermal expansion for use in desalination

Igobo

Davies

2014

Desalination and Water Treatment

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Ground water salinity is a widespread problem that contributes to the fresh water deficit of humanity. Consequently, where conventional energy supply is also lacking, organic Rankine cycle (ORC) engines are being considered as a feasible option to harness readily available low-grade heat (< 180 o C) to drive the desalination of the saline water via reverse osmosis (RO). However, this application is still not very well developed, and has significantly high specific energy consumption (SEC). Hence, this study explores the isothermal expansion of the ORC working fluid to achieve improved efficiency for driving a batch-RO desalination process, 'DesaLink'. Here the working fluid is directly vaporized in the expansion cylinder which is heated externally by heat transfer fluid, thus obviating the need for a separate external boiler and high pressure piping. Experimental investigations with R245fa have shown cycle efficiency of 8.8%. And it is predicted that the engine could drive DesaLink to produce 256 litres of fresh water per 8 hour per day, from 4000 ppm saline water, with a thermal and mechanical SEC of 2.5 kWh/m 3 and 0.36 kWh/m 3 respectively, representing a significant improvement on previously reported or predicted SEC values.

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The scope to improve the efficiency of solar-powered reverse osmosis

Cited by 13 publications

References 94 publications

Concentration polarization model of spiral-wound membrane modules with application to batch-mode RO desalination of brackish water

Concentration polarization model of spiral-wound membrane modules with application to batch-mode RO desalination of brackish water

World’s Demand for Food and Water: The Consequences of Climate Change

Low-temperature organic Rankine cycle engine with isothermal expansion for use in desalination

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