Predicting water properties is an integral part of process-scale modeling and simulation for desalination technologies. However, since water chemistry is complex, property models can be intricate and pose significant computational challenges. Frequently, researchers use simplified property models to overcome these challenges, but the implications of these simplifications are not well known. This study aims to evaluate the performance of different property models to assess their impact on the efficacy of cost optimization models. The property models assessed include (i) a seawater property model, (ii) a sodium chloride property model, and (iii) an ideal sodium chloride property model. In this analysis, two prominent desalination technologies are considered: reverse osmosis (RO) and mechanical vapor compression (MVC), which encompass both membrane-based and evaporative desalination processes. Optimal design and operational variables are determined for treating seawater across a range of feed concentrations and water recoveries specific to each unit's application space. Results indicate that the sodium chloride property model yields comparable outcomes to the seawater property model across the operational domains for both RO and MVC processes. Conversely, the ideal property model exhibits significant discrepancies, although it performs better under isothermal conditions. Understanding the errors arising from specific modeling assumptions offers valuable guidance for decision-making and aiding the development of more sustainable and economically viable water treatment technologies.
Disclaimer:
This project was funded by the Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory an agency of the United States Government, through a support contract. Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, nor the support contractor, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof.
