Mathematical Modeling and Simulation of SWRO Process Based on Simultaneous Method

Abstract

Reverse osmosis (RO) technique is one of the most efficient ways for seawater desalination to solve the shortage of freshwater. For prediction and analysis of the performance of seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) process, an accurate and detailed model based on the solution-diffusion and mass transfer theory is established. Since the accurate formulation of the model includes many differential equations and strong nonlinear equations (differential and algebraic equations, DAEs), to solve the problem efficiently, the simultaneous method through orthogonal collocation on finite elements and large scale solver were used to obtain the solutions. The model was fully discretized into NLP (nonlinear programming) with large scale variables and equations, and then the NLP was solved by large scale solver of IPOPT. Validation of the formulated model and solution method is verified by case study on a SWRO plant. Then simulation and analysis are carried out to demonstrate the performance of reverse osmosis process; operational conditions such as feed pressure and feed flow rate as well as feed temperature are also analyzed. This work is of significant meaning for the detailed understanding of RO process and future energy saving through operational optimization.

Performance analysis of a medium-sized industrial reverse osmosis brackish water desalination plant

“…This in turn reduces the positive impact of increasing operating pressure, which can attribute the insignificant decrease of recovery of 2 nd pass. These results are coordinate with the findings of Jiang et al[36]. Impact of plant operating pressure on total recovery of plant, passes 1 and…”

“…Consequently, increasing temperature results in increasing solute flux through each membrane, which causes a slight reduction of solute rejection due to increasing the permeate concentration at the permeate channel and following Eqs. (31) and (36). This is mostly reported by several researchers such as Mane et al [37] and Kotb et al [38].…”

A mathematical method and artificial neural network modeling to simulate osmosis membrane’s performance

“…A correlation of 85% was obtained, comparing the developed model and ROSA software results (Jafar and Zilouchian 2002). Jiang et al (2014) used several mathematical methods to find the relations between temperature and feed pressure and performance of a SWRO plant. They focused on and paid special attention to details of working parameters and differential changes in operational variables.…”

Analysis of reverse osmosis filter permeability

“…There are a large number of models describing different parameter values along spiral wound membranes. These parameters include salt rejection, osmotic pressure, concentration polarization, flow velocity and so on [20]. Some authors used finite element methods for calculations [21].…”