DESALINATION TECHNOLOGY• THERMAL• MEMBRANE• SOLAR• TECHNICAL• ECONOMICS• ENVIRONMENTAL• POLITICAL
• Membrane separation processes (UF and RO)– Superior treatment– Relatively modest capital and operating costs
• Major obstacles– Permeate flux decline
• Concentration polarization• Fouling
– Temperature effects not well understood
PERFORMANCE OF SPIRAL WOUND MEMBRANES
permeate
cp
Jv
membrane
boundary layer
soluteJs
cb
feed flow
convective flow
back diffusion
soluteirreversible bound layer
reversible gel layer
cw
{
Figure 1
Concentration Polarization
Figure 2
i = ni = n-1
i = 2
Jo(t)-decrease in pure water
i = 1
permeability due to fouling
Ja1
Ja2
J(tp)- flux decline due to concentration polarization
tptcpermeation cleaning
membrane life-time -tt
Jo
J
Time
Solv
ent f
lux
acro
ss m
embr
ane
Flux Decline Due to Fouling
HUMIDIFICATION/ DEHUMIDIFICATION
PROCESSES
SEAWATER GREENHOUSE
• FRESH WATER FROM SEA AND BRACKISH WATER
• CROP PRODUCTION• COOL HOUSE• ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY
Research Approach
AREAS FOR COLLABORATION
• Student Training• Demonstration Seawater Greenhouse• Seawater Greenhouse Condenser• USDA/USDI• RO membrane fouling• Applied/Fundamental/Social/
Environmental
