True batch reverse osmosis prototype: model validation and energy savings

In this study, we tested a bench-scale prototype of a true batch reverse osmosis (RO) system using a flexible bladder and a 2.5 in. (6.4cm) spiral wound membrane element. In theory, batch RO systems can achieve the lowest practical energy consumption by varying feed pressure over time. However, th...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Wei, Quantum J., Tucker, Carson I., Wu, Priscilla J., Trueworthy, Ali M., Tow, Emily W., Lienhard, John H
Other Authors: Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Mechanical Engineering
Format: Article
Published: International Desalination Association 2019
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/122633
_version_ 1826206686159831040
author Wei, Quantum J.
Tucker, Carson I.
Wu, Priscilla J.
Trueworthy, Ali M.
Tow, Emily W.
Lienhard, John H
author2 Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Mechanical Engineering
author_facet Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Mechanical Engineering
Wei, Quantum J.
Tucker, Carson I.
Wu, Priscilla J.
Trueworthy, Ali M.
Tow, Emily W.
Lienhard, John H
author_sort Wei, Quantum J.
collection MIT
description In this study, we tested a bench-scale prototype of a true batch reverse osmosis (RO) system using a flexible bladder and a 2.5 in. (6.4cm) spiral wound membrane element. In theory, batch RO systems can achieve the lowest practical energy consumption by varying feed pressure over time. However, this is the first study to validate batch models by measuring the hydraulic work of both the high pressure pump and the circulation pump. The experimental measurements agree well with the model (error < 3%) after accounting for concentration polarization. We used the validated model to calculate the energy savings of true batch systems at higher salinities and recovery ratios. Previous studies assumed that a batch RO plant would operate at the same flux and steady-state feed salinity as a comparable continuous RO plant. In order to match the permeate production of a continuous RO plant, a batch RO plant must operate at an elevated flux to offset its intermittent permeate production. A batch RO plant will operate at a steady-state feed salinity higher than the plant’s intake feed salinity due to salt retention between batch cycles. As a result of these practical inefficiencies, the energy savings achievable by true batch systems are less than previously thought, but still significant at relatively high recoveries. At 50% recovery of seawater feed, a batch system could save 11% of the energy consumed by a continuous RO system while still maintaining the same level of permeate production. We have demonstrated the successful operation of a true batch system and shown that it can indeed reduce energy consumption. Keywords: batch reserve osmosis; true batch; energy efficiency; energy savings; system design
first_indexed 2024-09-23T13:36:40Z
format Article
id mit-1721.1/122633
institution Massachusetts Institute of Technology
last_indexed 2024-09-23T13:36:40Z
publishDate 2019
publisher International Desalination Association
record_format dspace
spelling mit-1721.1/1226332022-10-01T16:03:47Z True batch reverse osmosis prototype: model validation and energy savings Wei, Quantum J. Tucker, Carson I. Wu, Priscilla J. Trueworthy, Ali M. Tow, Emily W. Lienhard, John H Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Mechanical Engineering In this study, we tested a bench-scale prototype of a true batch reverse osmosis (RO) system using a flexible bladder and a 2.5 in. (6.4cm) spiral wound membrane element. In theory, batch RO systems can achieve the lowest practical energy consumption by varying feed pressure over time. However, this is the first study to validate batch models by measuring the hydraulic work of both the high pressure pump and the circulation pump. The experimental measurements agree well with the model (error < 3%) after accounting for concentration polarization. We used the validated model to calculate the energy savings of true batch systems at higher salinities and recovery ratios. Previous studies assumed that a batch RO plant would operate at the same flux and steady-state feed salinity as a comparable continuous RO plant. In order to match the permeate production of a continuous RO plant, a batch RO plant must operate at an elevated flux to offset its intermittent permeate production. A batch RO plant will operate at a steady-state feed salinity higher than the plant’s intake feed salinity due to salt retention between batch cycles. As a result of these practical inefficiencies, the energy savings achievable by true batch systems are less than previously thought, but still significant at relatively high recoveries. At 50% recovery of seawater feed, a batch system could save 11% of the energy consumed by a continuous RO system while still maintaining the same level of permeate production. We have demonstrated the successful operation of a true batch system and shown that it can indeed reduce energy consumption. Keywords: batch reserve osmosis; true batch; energy efficiency; energy savings; system design 2019-10-18T17:07:45Z 2019-10-18T17:07:45Z 2019-10 Article http://purl.org/eprint/type/ConferencePaper https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/122633 Wei, Quantum J. et al. "True batch reverse osmosis prototype: model validation and energy savings." The International Desalination Association World Congress on Desalination and Water Reuse 2019/Dubai, UAE, October 2019, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, International Desalination Association, October 2019 https://wc.idadesal.org/ The International Desalination Association World Congress on Desalination and Water Reuse 2019/Dubai, UAE Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/ application/pdf International Desalination Association Prof. Lienhard
spellingShingle Wei, Quantum J.
Tucker, Carson I.
Wu, Priscilla J.
Trueworthy, Ali M.
Tow, Emily W.
Lienhard, John H
True batch reverse osmosis prototype: model validation and energy savings
title True batch reverse osmosis prototype: model validation and energy savings
title_full True batch reverse osmosis prototype: model validation and energy savings
title_fullStr True batch reverse osmosis prototype: model validation and energy savings
title_full_unstemmed True batch reverse osmosis prototype: model validation and energy savings
title_short True batch reverse osmosis prototype: model validation and energy savings
title_sort true batch reverse osmosis prototype model validation and energy savings
url https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/122633
work_keys_str_mv AT weiquantumj truebatchreverseosmosisprototypemodelvalidationandenergysavings
AT tuckercarsoni truebatchreverseosmosisprototypemodelvalidationandenergysavings
AT wupriscillaj truebatchreverseosmosisprototypemodelvalidationandenergysavings
AT trueworthyalim truebatchreverseosmosisprototypemodelvalidationandenergysavings
AT towemilyw truebatchreverseosmosisprototypemodelvalidationandenergysavings
AT lienhardjohnh truebatchreverseosmosisprototypemodelvalidationandenergysavings