Identification of cost and energy effective seawater membranes for use under hot climate conditions

Abstract

Seawater desalination using a cost‐effective reverse osmosis system is crucial for hot climate countries suffering from water scarcity. The most favorable seawater membrane characteristics were identified under typical Egyptian operating conditions. Twelve different commercially available membrane elements were investigated. A reverse osmosis system was designed and simulated using available software (e.g., ROSA and IMSDesign). The characteristics of the most promising membranes were identified for operation at Matruh (Mediterranean Sea) and Sharm El‐Sheikh (Red Sea). The present work shows that the lowest cost of seawater desalination is obtained with membranes having high salt rejection, high permeate flow, high membrane active area, and permeate flux greater than 0.914 m3/(d·m2). Moreover, the cost of seawater desalination in summer is lower than in winter by 5% for Matruh and 2.7% for Sharm El‐Sheikh. However, the impact of water salinity on the cost and specific energy consumption is higher than that of the seawater temperature. The cost of Mediterranean seawater desalination is lower than that of the Red Sea by 10.6%. Cost analysis at five different locations in Egypt shows that the highest cost takes place at Suez (Gulf of Suez), and the lowest cost occurs at Matruh (Mediterranean Sea). Practitioner Points Twelve different membranes were investigated for use under typical hot climate conditions. The cost of seawater reverse osmosis (RO) desalination is lower in summer by 2.7%–5% compared with winter. RO desalination costs up to 10.6% less for the Mediterranean Sea compared with the Red Sea. The optimum membrane element performance characteristics were identified for use under hot climate conditions.