(644f) A Generic Model-Based Analysis and Optimization of Specific Energy Consumption in Bwro and Swro

A generic dimensionless model is developed to describe both brackish water (BW) and seawater (SW) reverse osmosis (RO) desalination processes. Several dimensionless parameters, which are based on operation data of many BWRO and SWRO desalination plants worldwide, are used to reveal the similarities and differences between BWRO and SWRO. It is shown that while the optimal recovery is about 50% in SWRO, it should be much higher in BRWO in order to reduce energy consumption. The presentation will also discuss about the effect of membrane design configurations on the energy consumption in BWRO and SWRO desalination.

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