System design and performance testing of a hybrid membrane — photovltaic desalination system
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Date
2005Author
Masson, Laurent
Richards, B. S.
Schäfer, Andrea
Metadata
Abstract
In some areas limited water resources combined with the fast growing population are leading to a
crucial situation because of the increase in water demand. Besides, an estimated one billion people are living
both without access to clean drinking water or electricity. Therefore, a stand alone photovoltaic-power based
hybrid membrane desalination prototype has been designed to meet this challenge. Several parameters were
examined in order to optimise the system performance, including i) feed water salt concentration,
ii) operating pressure, iii) system recovery, iv) specific energy consumption (SEC) and v) salt retention. With
a SEC varying from 2.2 to 7.7 kWh.m-3, the installation designed for remote villages is able to produce up to
1.2 m3.d-1.