Analysis of specific energy consumption in reverse osmosis desalination processes

Karabelas, A.J.; Koutsou, C.P.; Kostoglou, Margaritis; Sioutopoulos, D.C.

doi:10.1016/j.desal.2017.04.006

Cited by 144 publications

(76 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…However, the practical recovery range around 50% raises limit to 1.1 kWh/m 3 [466]. Karabelas et al [467] further breaks down the specific energy cost within the membrane process into: 50% to overcome the osmotic pressure, 25% on membrane filtration resistance, 20% on pump and energy recovery device inefficiency, 2.5% for the concentration polarization, 2.5% friction losses in the permeate and the concentrate. Percentage of energy consumption data from [461] and [467] are compiled in Fig. 14.…”

Section: Energy and Economic Considerationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reverse osmosis desalination: A state-of-the-art review

et al. 2019

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Water scarcity is a grand challenge that has always stimulated research interests in finding effective means for pure water production. In this context, reverse osmosis (RO) is considered the leading and the most optimized membrane-based desalination process that is currently dominating the desalination market. In this review, various aspects of RO desalination are reviewed. Theories and models related to concentration polarization and membrane transport, as well as merits and drawbacks of these models in predicting polarization effects, are discussed. An updated review of studies related to membrane modules (plate and frame, tubular, spiral wound, and hollow fiber) and membrane characterization are provided. The review also discusses membrane cleaning and different pre-treatment technologies in place for RO desalination, such as feed-water pre-treatment and biocides. RO pre-treatment technologies, which include conventional (e.g., coagulationflocculation, media filtration, disinfection, scale inhibition) and non-conventional (e.g., MF, UF, and NF) are reviewed and their relative attributes are compared. As per the available literature, UF, MF and coagulation-flocculation are considered the most widely used pre-treatment technologies. In addition, this review discusses membrane fouling, which represents a serious challenge in RO processes due to its significant contribution to energy requirements and process economy (e.g., flux decline, permeate quality, membrane lifespan, increased feed pressure, increased pre-treatment and membrane maintenance cost). Different membrane fouling types, such as colloidal, organic, inorganic, and biological fouling, are addressed in this review. Principles of RO process design and the embedded economic and energy considerations are discussed. In general, cost of water desalination has dropped to values that made it a viable option, comparable even to conventional water treatment methods. Finally, an overview of hybrid RO desalination processes and the current challenges faced by RO desalination processes are presented and discussed.

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Section: Energy and Economic Considerationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reverse osmosis desalination: A state-of-the-art review

et al. 2019

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“…where SEC is the specific energy consumption, RR is recovery ratio, QF is feed flow rate, PF is feed pump pressure, PP is permeate side pressure, and QP is permeate flow rate [68,90,91]. For the RO process, the feed pump pressure must be higher than osmotic pressure at any position in feed side path of RO element.…”

Section: Models Of the Ro Process 21 Mass Transfer Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

How RO membrane permeability and other performance factors affect process cost and energy use: A review

2019

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Reverse osmosis (RO) technology has progressed steadily over the last few decades. Those gains were achieved through improvements in both RO membrane element performance and energy recovery technologies. However, some recent literature indicates that RO membrane water permeability is approaching performance limits imposed by transport processes and thermodynamic constraints. This paper reviews how RO membrane element performance affects the cost of RO processes, especially the specific energy consumption. RO membrane performance encompasses water permeability, salt permeability, and other some characteristics of the RO element. This paper considers not only conventional RO processes, but also the recently proposed closed-circuit RO and batch RO processes. Even if the membrane water permeability increases, little additional effect is found when the membrane water permeability exceeds around 3 LMH/bar for seawater RO and 8 LMH/bar for brackish water RO in conventional single-stage RO. Increasing membrane water permeability has the potential to decrease membrane surface area and associated costs. A major limitation of most existing literature is that performance is evaluation on in terms of the initial operating conditions. Chronological changes, such as result from fouling, must also be considered to accurately validate how membrane element performance affects RO cost.

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“…The largest water desalination plant in Shandong is located in Qingdao, an international city facing severe water shortage issues, with a capacity of 10 5 m 3 /d. The total capacity of water desalination plants in Qingdao reached 235× 10 3 m 3 /d in 2016, which takes 83% of the total capacity of Shandong province [21]. One large-scale plant in southern China is in Zhejiang Province, with a capacity of 228 × 10 3 m 3 /d.…”

Section: Seawater Desalination In Chinamentioning

confidence: 99%

Analyzing the Energy Consumption, GHG Emission, and Cost of Seawater Desalination in China

et al. 2019

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Seawater desalination is considered a technique with high water supply potential and has become an emerging alternative for freshwater supply in China. The increase of the capacity also increases energy consumption and greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions, which has not been well investigated in studies. This study has analyzed the current development of seawater desalination in China, including the capacity, distribution, processes, as well as the desalted water use. Energy consumption and GHG emissions of overall desalination in China, as well as for the provinces, are calculated covering the period of 2006–2016. The unit product cost of seawater desalination plants specifying processes is also estimated. The results showed that 1) The installed capacity maintained increased from 2006 to 2016, and reverse osmosis is the major process used for seawater desalination in China. 2) The energy consumption increased from 81 MWh/y to 1,561 MWh/y during the 11 years. The overall GHG emission increase from 85 Mt CO2eq/y to 1,628 Mt CO2eq/y. Tianjin had the largest GHG emissions, following are Hebei and Shandong, with emissions of 4.1 Mt CO2eq/y, 2.2 Mt CO2eq/y. and 1.0 Mt CO2eq/y. 3) The unit product cost of seawater desalination is higher than other water supply alternatives, and it differentiates the desalination processes. The average unit product cost of the reverse osmosis process is 0.96 USD and 2.5 USD for the multiple-effect distillation process. The potential for future works should specify different energy forms, e.g. heat and power. Alternatives of process integration should be investigated—e.g. efficiency of using the energy, heat integration, and renewables in water desalination, as well as the utilization of total site heat integration.

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Analysis of specific energy consumption in reverse osmosis desalination processes

Cited by 144 publications

References 26 publications

Reverse osmosis desalination: A state-of-the-art review

Reverse osmosis desalination: A state-of-the-art review

How RO membrane permeability and other performance factors affect process cost and energy use: A review

Analyzing the Energy Consumption, GHG Emission, and Cost of Seawater Desalination in China

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