Towards a low-energy seawater reverse osmosis desalination plant: A review and theoretical analysis for future directions

Park, Ki Ho; Kim, Jungbin; Yang, Dae Ryook; Hong, Seungkwan

doi:10.1016/j.memsci.2019.117607

Cited by 173 publications

(73 citation statements)

References 156 publications

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“…Membrane swelling is a property reported to increase permeability, and thus, results in lower operating pressures. As such, this factor can be important in the development of low energy ULPRO membranes for desalination applications [ 14 ]. However, extensive swelling can result in the membrane losing both chemical and mechanical integrity through the destabilization of the polymer chains.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A New Method for a Polyethersulfone-Based Dopamine-Graphene (xGnP-DA/PES) Nanocomposite Membrane in Low/Ultra-Low Pressure Reverse Osmosis (L/ULPRO) Desalination

2020

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Herein we present a two-stage phase inversion method for the preparation of nanocomposite membranes for application in ultra-low-pressure reverse osmosis (ULPRO). The membranes containing DA-stabilized xGnP (xGnP-DA-) were then prepared via dry phase inversion at room temperature, varying the drying time, followed by quenching in water. The membranes were characterized for chemical changes utilizing attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results indicated the presence of new chemical species and thus, the inclusion of xGnP-DA in the polyethersulfone (PES) membrane matrix. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) showed increasing surface roughness (Ra) with increased drying time. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed the cross-sectional morphology of the membranes. Water uptake, porosity and pore size were observed to decrease due to this new synthetic approach. Salt rejection using simulated seawater (containing Na, K, Ca, and Mg salts) was found to be up to stable at <99.99% between 1–8 bars operating pressure. After ten fouling and cleaning cycles, flux recoveries of <99.5% were recorded, while the salt rejection was <99.95%. As such, ULPRO membranes can be successfully prepared through altered phase inversion and used for successful desalination of seawater.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A New Method for a Polyethersulfone-Based Dopamine-Graphene (xGnP-DA/PES) Nanocomposite Membrane in Low/Ultra-Low Pressure Reverse Osmosis (L/ULPRO) Desalination

2020

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“…The high energy consumption in HPPs is ought to the applied pressure required to overcome the osmotic pressure of SW. Reducing the energy requirements in HPPs can be realized by decreasing the osmotic pressure of the feed. This is achievable by diluting the SW feed using FO [249,250]. In some FO-RO hybrid systems, SW is used as the draw solution in the FO stage and low salinity wastewater is used as the feed [229,251].…”

Section: Osmotic Dilution By Forward Osmosismentioning

confidence: 99%

Energy for desalination: A state-of-the-art review

et al. 2020

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The utilization of seawater for drinking purposes is limited by the high specific energy consumption (SEC) (kW-h/m 3 ) of present desalination technologies; both thermal and membranebased. This is in turn exasperated by high water production costs, adding up to the water scarcity around the globe. Most technologies are already working near their thermodynamic limit, whilst posing challenges in further SEC reductions. Understanding the current energy status and energy breakdowns of leading desalination technologies will further help in realizing limitations and boundaries imposed while working for improved system performances. This paper comprehensively reviews the energy requirements and potential research areas for reduced SEC of various thermal, membrane-based and emerging desalination technologies. For thermal desalination processes, which consume a large chunk of energy for heating, renewable energy sources can be a viable option for bringing down the energy requirements. Hence, this review also focuses on the potential of desalination-renewable energy integrations. The review extends beyond conventional energy reduction possibilities to utilizing novel, advanced membranes and innovative techniques for energy offsets. The future of desalination for optimized energy requirements is projected to include ultra-high permeability membranes, fouling resistant membranes, hybrid systems, and renewable-energy driven desalination.

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“…One of the problems inherent to this technology is its high energy consumption associated to the high hydrostatic pressure required for the separation process especially for the treatment of high osmotic saline solutions. This problem has been already studied [ 3 ] and different strategies have been adopted to reduce this energy consumption [ 4 ]. Another intrinsic problem of this technology that needs a prompt resolution is the discharge of brines (i.e., aqueous saline solutions with an overall concentration in the range 50–82 g L −1 ) [ 5 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Electrospun Nanostructured Membrane Engineering Using Reverse Osmosis Recycled Modules: Membrane Distillation Application

2021

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As a consequence of the increase in reverse osmosis (RO) desalination plants, the number of discarded RO modules for 2020 was estimated to be 14.8 million annually. Currently, these discarded modules are disposed of in nearby landfills generating high volumes of waste. In order to extend their useful life, in this research study, we propose recycling and reusing the internal components of the discarded RO modules, membranes and spacers, in membrane engineering for membrane distillation (MD) technology. After passive cleaning with a sodium hypochlorite aqueous solution, these recycled components were reused as support for polyvinylidene fluoride nanofibrous membranes prepared by electrospinning technique. The prepared membranes were characterized by different techniques and, finally, tested in desalination of high saline solutions (brines) by direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD). The effect of the electrospinning time, which is the same as the thickness of the nanofibrous layer, was studied in order to optimize the permeate flux together with the salt rejection factor and to obtain robust membranes with stable DCMD desalination performance. When the recycled RO membrane or the permeate spacer were used as supports with 60 min electrospinning time, good permeate fluxes were achieved, 43.2 and 18.1 kg m−2 h−1, respectively; with very high salt rejection factors, greater than 99.99%. These results are reasonably competitive compared to other supported and unsupported MD nanofibrous membranes. In contrast, when using the feed spacer as support, inhomogeneous structures were observed on the electrospun nanofibrous layer due to the special characteristics of this spacer resulting in low salt rejection factors and mechanical properties of the electrospun nanofibrous membrane.

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Towards a low-energy seawater reverse osmosis desalination plant: A review and theoretical analysis for future directions

Cited by 173 publications

References 156 publications

A New Method for a Polyethersulfone-Based Dopamine-Graphene (xGnP-DA/PES) Nanocomposite Membrane in Low/Ultra-Low Pressure Reverse Osmosis (L/ULPRO) Desalination

A New Method for a Polyethersulfone-Based Dopamine-Graphene (xGnP-DA/PES) Nanocomposite Membrane in Low/Ultra-Low Pressure Reverse Osmosis (L/ULPRO) Desalination

Energy for desalination: A state-of-the-art review

Electrospun Nanostructured Membrane Engineering Using Reverse Osmosis Recycled Modules: Membrane Distillation Application

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