Seawater reverse osmosis reduction

T.M. Missimer, R.G. Mahva, M. Thompson, W.S. Manahan, K.P. Goodboy, Reduction of seawater reverse osmosis treatment costs by improvement of raw water quahty innovative intake designs, Desal. Water Reuse 20 (3) (2010) 12-22. 

Kim, Y., Kang, M.G., Lee, S. et al. (2013) Reduction of energy consumption in seawater reverse osmosis desalination pilot plant by using energy recovery devices. Desalination and Water Treatment, 51 (4-6), 766-771. doi 10.1080/19443994.2012.705549... 

Lorain, O., B. Hersant, F. Persin, A. Grasmick, N. Brunard, and J. M. Espenan. 2007. Ultrafiltration membrane pre-treatment benefits for reverse osmosis process in seawater desalting. Quantification in terms of capital investment cost and operating cost reduction. Desalination 203 277-285. 

Desalination of seawater and brackish water has been and, as of the end of the 1990s, is the primary use of reverse osmosis. Driven by a need for potable water in areas where there is a shortage, this industry has developed significantly. Desalination involves the reduction of the total dissolved solids (TDS) concentration, which is equal to more than 30,000 ppm, to less than 200 ppm. 

A new application area for membranes is energy production. Reverse electrodialysis and pressure retarded osmosis could provide significant quantities of energy from the mixing of fresh water with seawater or mixing the concentrated brine effluent of desalination plants with seawater. However, these applications will require significant reduction in membrane and module costs. 

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