Medesol DL12 Ull

Project no.
: 036986
Project acronym: MEDESOL
Project title: Seawater desalination by innovative solar-powered
membrane distillation

Instrument: Specific targeted research project
Thematic Priority: 1.6.3 Global change and ecosystems

Deliverable reference number and title

DL 12
PERFORMANCE AND COST ESTIMATIONS OF FINAL
INDUSTRIAL-SIZE OF MEDESOL-2 TECHNOLOGY

Due date of deliverable:
Actual submission date: 31.05.10

Start date of project: 01.10.2006 Duration: 44 Months

Organisation name of lead contractor for this deliverable: UNIV. OF LA LAGUNA

Revision: 2 Pages: 90

Project co-funded by the European Commission within the Sixth Framework
Programme (2002-2006)
Dissemination Level
PU Public YES
PP Restricted to other programme participants (including the
Commission Services)
NO
RE Restricted to a group specified by the consortium (including
the Commission Services)
NO
CO Confidential, only for members of the consortium (including
the Commission Services)
NO

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
3
INDEX
SUMMARY.................................................................................................................................... 5
SECTION I: THEORETICAL ASSESSMENT OF MD MULTI-STAGE CONCEPT................. 7
1. Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 7
2. Selection of system configuration for a stand-alone solar system..................................... 7
3. System configuration......................................................................................................... 8
4. Final results ..................................................................................................................... 10
5. Costs estimation............................................................................................................... 14
6. Conclusions ..................................................................................................................... 16
7. References ....................................................................................................................... 17
SECTION II: REVIEW OF EXISTING MD PLANTS................................................................ 19
1. Long-term performance of existing experimental systems ............................................. 19
2. Reported problems in already existing experimental systems......................................... 23
3. Membrane maintenance in long term experiments.......................................................... 29
4. Different membranes and module configurations ........................................................... 31
5. References ....................................................................................................................... 33
SECTION III: INSTRUMENTATION AND CONTROL........................................................... 39
1. Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 39
2. Measuring instruments and control ................................................................................. 39
3. Classification of the instruments ..................................................................................... 39
4. Use of instruments in the different processes of a desalination plant ............................. 40
5. Selected elements ............................................................................................................ 45
6. Conclusions ..................................................................................................................... 49
SECTION IV: MATERIALS........................................................................................................ 51
1. Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 51
2. Corrosion ......................................................................................................................... 52
3. Metallic materials. Stainless steel.................................................................................... 52
4. Plastic materials............................................................................................................... 53
5. Conclusions ..................................................................................................................... 55
SECTION V: SIZING AND ECONOMIC STUDY OF A 100M
3
/ DAY MD SOLAR PLANT 57
1. Sizing............................................................................................................................... 57
2. Economic Analysis.......................................................................................................... 69
3. Conclusions ..................................................................................................................... 77
SECTION VI: ECONOMIC STUDY (REVERSE OSMOSIS PLANT) ..................................... 79
1. Costs of a desalination plant............................................................................................ 79
2. RO Desalination Plant ..................................................................................................... 80
3. Conclusions ..................................................................................................................... 86
4. Photovoltaic Study........................................................................................................... 87

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
4

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
5
SUMMARY

This deliverable assesses the MD- technology from different points of view. The objective is
to study different aspects: technology, engineering, energy consumption,etc. looking for a
more efficient way to set the technology and to evaluate the current possibilities for MD to be
scaled-up to an industrial size.

First section (theoretical assessment of the MD multi-stage concept) shows a theoretical
assessment of multi-stage concept. In order to obtain a high-efficiency and cost-effective
system for stand-alone seawater desalination, the objective of MEDESOL project was to
experimentally evaluate the innovative solar multi-stage MD concept. This concept is based
on the use of some MD modules connected with a particular design arrangement to minimize
both, main and auxiliary energy consumptions. The theoretical selection of the system
configuration shown in section I, is based on a generic membrane distillation module. Also in
this first section , the most suitable configuration for the MD system amongst different
candidate designs is discussed, solar MD technology prospects as a function of available MD
modules are evaluated and the influence of the main operational parameters on the system
efficiency for an individual module: temperature gradient across the membranes and
maximum working temperature, is also appraised. Finally, a preliminary costs estimation is
shown.

The work done in section I have been published in two papers:

1. Juan Carlos Vega-Beltrn, Lourdes Garca-Rodrguez, Isabel Martn Mateos and
Julin Blanco Glvez,. Solar membrane distillation: The theoretical assessment of
multi-stage concept. . Desalination and Water Technology. Vol 18, (133-138). ISSN
1944-3994/ 1944-3986

2. Isabel Martn Mateos, Lourdes Garca-Rodrguez, Juan Carlos Vega Beltrn and
Julin Blanco Glvez. Destilacin solar por membranas: recomendaciones tericas
del concepto multi-etapa. 9 Congreso Iberoamericano de Ingeniera Mecnica
(CIBIM9) 06, 10-17. ISBN: 978-84-692-8516-9

Next section (section II: review of existing MD plants) shows a literature review of the MD
plants and MD systems around the world that have been operating for several months or even
years. The purpose of this last section is to show what the main conclusions, results and
operational problems these systems have faced in the long term, as a preliminary assessment
of what the process of scaling-up a MD plant would lead to.

The following sections (III: Instrumentation and Control, IV: Materials and V: Economic
Study) show an engineering approach to MD, where it has been studied the control and
measurement instrumentation, the different elements materials and the general costs, fixed
and variable of a MD plant. The objective is to propose the most efficient alternative.
Instrumentation needs of a desalination process have been analyzed considering different
possibilities. In this deliverable it is detailed the instrumentation considered, but the
conclusion is that no alternatives have been found that would benefit the system. Only in the
case of a production lower than 70 l/h, not the case of an industrial pilot, it is proposed a

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
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pump with servo positioner. Concerning materials, the recommendation is to change the
stainless steel tubes for PP tubes. Regarding the other components no efficient alternative was
found. Regarding expenses and cost recovery the conclusion pointed out that the main
problem of MD technology is the low product flux. Therefore, the most important advance on
MD evolution would be to achieve higher product flux.

Last section (section VI) shows the economical analysis of including a photovoltaic
component to make the whole MD system autonomous.

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
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SECTION I: THEORETICAL ASSESSMENT OF MD MULTI-STAGE
CONCEPT

1. Introduction
The status of Membrane Distillation (MD) technology and of solar desalination have been
reported by the authors [1-2]. Although there are many commercial membranes [3] suitable to
membrane distillation (MD) of seawater, there are very few commercial or pre-commercial
MD modules [4-6]. Moreover, experimental data published about such systems exhibit
specific energy consumptions and recovery rate much lower [5-6] than conventional solar
distillation systems based on industrial distillation processes multistage flash distillation and
multi-effect distillation -. Both parameters are especially important in stand-alone solar
systems since they determine the sizes of solar thermal and photovoltaic fields required to
supply main and auxiliary energy consumption, respectively.

MD process has significant advantages compared to aforementioned processes, as technical
simplicity, long maintenance-free operation periods and ability of operating with high
concentrate brine. Moreover, due to its modularity there is no practical limitation of capacity.
Then, to develop the membrane distillation technology in order to achieve energy
consumptions similar to those of conventional distillation technologies is of the major
interest.

The main project objective of MEDESOL (FP6-2005-Global-4, FP6-036986) [1,7] is the
development and experimental assessment of solar multi-stage MD concept in order to obtain
a high-efficiency and cost-effective system for stand-alone seawater desalination. This
concept is based on the use of some MD modules connected with a particular design
arrangement, suitable for stand-alone solar desalination systems, suitable to minimize both,
main and auxiliary energy consumptions.

The selection of the system configuration is one objective of the MEDESOL project. It is
based on a generic membrane distillation module. On this section is selected the configuration
of the MD system among different candidate designs, set the prospects of solar MD
technology as function of available MD modules and assess the influence on system
efficiency of main operational parameters of an individual module:
- Temperature gradient across the membranes.
- Maximum working temperature.

2. Selection of system configuration for a stand-alone solar system
The analysis of capital costs of a stand-alone solar system points out that two main parameters
have to be minimised in order to obtain the most suitable design for stand-alone solar
distillation systems:
- Main energy consumption, which is the most important parameter of the solar
collector area required.
- Auxiliary energy consumption, mainly dependent on the recovery rate of the
desalination process as a whole, which mainly determines the area of the photovoltaic
field required.

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
8

Figure 1 shows the influence of aforementioned parameters. In order to estimate the cost of
the thermal and photovoltaic solar field the following assumptions were used:

- Photovoltaic solar field required for the seawater intake: 6 /Wp installed, 2.5 Wp
installed per W required, 0.5 kW per 1 m
3
/h of seawater [8].
- Solar Thermal field: 300 /m
2
, solar irradiance at design point 700W/m
2
.

Figure 1 shows that low recovery rates should be avoided in efficient systems in order to
achieve reasonable capital costs. Auxiliary energy required to pump the cooling seawater is
not included since its required mass flow rate depends on the particular temperatures of a
given case study. It will increase the influence of the recovery rate of the process (r),
especially for systems with low PR.

Figure 1. Capital cost of solar thermal and photovoltaic fields per m
3
/h of
nominal production for a stand-alone solar system as function of Performance.

3. System configuration
Taking account figure 1, three candidate designs were analyzed:
1) A single MD module
2) A multistage concept in which saline water used as cooling water to condense steam
generated in one of the membrane modules (and therefore heated) is used as feed
water by the following module, while cold brine from same module is used as cooling
water by the following. This design is repeated in the following modules.
3) A multistage design arrangement proposed by Hanbury and Hodgkiess [9], the same
as a conventional Multi-Stage Flash (MSF) distillation system.

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
9

The analysis of the first design is a particular case of the second option. In the latter, the
analysis performed is based on the use of a given number of generic MD modules in which
the following parameters are set:
- Temperature, pressure and mass flow rate of the feed water input of the first MD
module.
- Temperature, pressure, salinity and mass flow rate of the cooling water input of the
first MD module.
- Mass flow rate recycled in the desalination process as a whole.
- Temperature gradient mean across the membrane, T, which depend on the available
technology of the modules used to construct the system.
Atmospheric pressure is assumed for feed and cooling channels. Pressure losses are assumed
to have negligible effect. A maximum top temperature of 90C is considered to fit the
objectives defined within the framework of the MEDESOL project.

Different number of modules and different points of connecting the recycling stream/s were
analysed. Finally, it was selected the design arrangement showed in figure 2, which consists
of 4 membrane modules for top temperatures about 80C-90C.

Figure 2: Selected design arrangement for a stand-alone solar system with top
temperature around 80C-90C. The cooling system is not shown in the figure since its
connection depends on the particular behaviour of the MD modules.

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
10

The mathematical models of the module configurations presented in this paper use basic
material and energy balance equations and physical properties of water and saline waters.
Two assumptions were used in the analysis: the first assumes the system at steady state
conditions and the second assumes salt-free distillate. The second assumption implies
negligible entrainment of the brine droplets by the steam generated. Other features of the
developed mathematical models include the following:

- Physical properties of saline water dependent on temperature and salinity.
- No thermal losses are considered in this first approach.

Results are reported in terms of performance ratio, distillate production and recovery rate.
Other data include profiles of the effect temperature, pressure, flow rate, and salinity.

The mathematical model for the MEDESOL configuration includes the material and energy
balance equations as well as the heat transfer equations for each module (evaporation and
condensation). Correlations used for thermodynamic properties are given by El-Dessouky et
al. [9]. The model includes the following equations:

- Total balance in module i

i i i
P B F
q q q + =

- Salt balance effect in module i

i i i i
B B F F
q X q X =

- Energy balances on module i, lead to the following equations:

1. Evaporation:

i i
i
i P
i i
if
H
i
H
if
i
P H
H
P
q
P H
T
T
s
s
p
q q
q
dq
q q
dsdT
T
s T C
} } }
= ln
1
) (
) , (
0
o
o

2. Condensation:
} }

=
if
C
i
C
i if
i
if
C
i
C
i
T
T
C C
P
T
T
i p C
dT T
T T
q
dT s T C q
o
o
o
) ( ) , (

4. Final results
Some useful results are presented in this section for the selected system configuration
reported in the previous section. One of the objectives of MEDESOL project is the
development of a stationary solar collector with low concentration able to achieve top
temperatures about 90C. Then, 90C is selected to operate the MD system.

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
11
First of all, it was analysed the influence of the available technology of MD modules. One of
the most influent parameters is the temperature gradient mean across the membrane (T). A
given value of T may be achieved with a proper selection of membrane and MD module
design. For a given feasible value of T, the membrane area required in every MD module
depends on the production required in every module and the achievable permeate fluxes for a
given membrane. Once the membrane area required is calculated, a rough cost estimation of
the system could be done. However the accuracy of cost estimations is strongly limited by the
status of development of MD market. For the system configuration shown in fig. 2, fig. 3
shows the influence of T on:

- Performance Ratio (PR) of the desalination system as a whole.
- Required production of every module.
- Recovery rate of the desalination system as a whole.

A second point of the analysis is the influence of the maximum working temperature on:

- Performance Ratio (PR) of the desalination system as a whole.
- Required production of every module.
- Recovery rate of the desalination system as a whole.

for a desalination system design shown in fig.2 under the assumption of a temperature
gradient mean across the membrane of 5C. Results are shown in figure 4.

If T=5C, the particular case of single MD module (configuration 1) achieves a PR of 10.6
with low recovery rate, 0.1. Besides that, for the same value of T, the multistage
configuration 2 (see fig.2) achieves a PR of 7.3 and recovery rate 0.3. Respective capital cost
of the thermal and PV solar fields per m
3
/h of nominal capacity are the following:

- Configuration 1. PV field: 75 k/(m
3
/h); Solar thermal field (stationary collectors):
52.4 k/(m
3
/h). Total: 127.4 k/(m
3
/h).
- Configuration 2. PV field: 38.8 k/(m
3
/h) (cooling seawater included); Solar thermal
field (stationary collectors): 76.5 k/(m
3
/h). Total: 115.4 k/(m
3
/h).

Figure 5 [1] provides the PR could be achieved with the multi-stage configuration proposed
by Hanbury and Hodgkiess [9] vs. the temperature of the outlet cooling stream of the first
module (Tc,o). Different maximum temperatures (Th,i) are shown from 55C to 100C. The
difference Th,i Tc,o is T at the first module inlet. Figure 5 shows that PR higher than 10
can be achieved if T is 5C and maximum temperature is 90C with configuration 3, which
is able to obtain recovery rates higher than configuration 2. Therefore, capital costs of the
solar fields for configuration 3 are about 52.4 k/(m
3
/h) for a stationary solar thermal field
and less than 38.8 k/(m
3
/h) for the PV field, thus resulting in a total amount less than 90.2
k/(m
3
/h).

Regarding the membrane area required, in configurations 2 and 3 membranes operate at
similar working conditions. Therefore, configuration 2 and 3 require approximately the same
membrane area per unit of distillate production. Nevertheless, in configuration 2, membranes

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
12
in modules second and the following operate at less favourable working conditions. Then,
configuration 2 requires higher membrane area than configuration 1 and 3.

Qualitative results obtained are also applicable to different maximum temperatures and T.

Figure 3: Influence of the temperature gradient mean across the membranes on the performance ratio
and recovery rate of the desalination system as a whole (fig.2) and the corresponding production of every
module.

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
13

Figure 4: Influence of the maximum temperature on the performance ratio and recovery rate of
the desalination system as a whole (fig.2) and the corresponding production of every module for
a temperature gradient mean across the membranes of 5C

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
14

Figure 5 [1]. PR that could be achieved with configuration proposed by Hanbury and Hodgkiess [9].
Maximum temperature, Th,i; Th,i Tc,o is T at the first module inlet.

5. Costs estimation
Solar process distillation can be evaluated by assessing the unitary cost of the product
(CUP) that takes into account three principal parameters:

- The Performance Ratio (PR), adimensional parameter which gives a general idea of the
efficiency of the desalination system. In IS units, the Performance Ratio indicates the
amount of kg of distillate water produced per each 2326 kJ of thermal energy supplied
to the process, being 2326 kJ, the thermal energy required to evaporate 1 kg of water at
1 bar of pressure, so a PR of one means a thermal efficiency equal to a simple one-
effect distillation process.
- The unitary cost of Energy (CUE) is the cost of the generation of the energy consumed
(/kWh)
- The investment costs of the distillation subsystem related with the production,
(expressed as per m
3
/d of product). If the system is operated continuously the
investment costs correspond to the corrected nominal production. For solar autonomous
system it is necessary to consider that a system with a cost of 1200 per m
3
/d of
nominal production, working half the day, has a real value of 2400 per m3/d of
produced water.

In this particular case the CUE corresponds to the cost of the production of the solar
collectors, that depends on both the investment cost per square meter of solar collector (X axis
in Fig. 6) and the annual energy production (Y axis in Fig 6). For the assessment of the
desalination process neither indirect costs, nor construction, personnel costs, auxiliary energy,

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
15
chemical products, residual value, insurance maintenance nor operational ones, have been
considered. The rate of annual interest is 5% and the inflation 2.25%.

Figure 6. Solar field CUE versus investment costs (OX /m
2
) and annual energy production (OY GJ/
m
2
/year).

When the CUE is fixed for a solar collector it is possible to obtain the CUP of the desalination
solar system with the aim of the next figures. With a PR and CUE for a fixed investment cost,
the CUP can be calculated.

The estimations considered could be summarized in the following example: for a solar field
which annual cost is 300 /m
2
of solar collector with a production of 4GJ/m
2
/year the
obtained value of CUE is 0.06 /kWh. (figure 6)

For a distillation system with a PR value of 10, with an investment cost between 3000 and
4000 per m
3
/d of distillate product, the final CUP will be between 5 /m
3
and 6 /m
3
. If the
system is operated continuously (24h a day), the cost can be lower depending on the size of
the system.
But the technology of MD, considering the currently developed systems , have PR values of
less than 10 and high investment costs. Systems with PR values between 2.5 and 5.5, final
CUP will be between 15 and 20 /m
3
and 9-10 /m
3
considering investment costs between
3000 and 6000 per m
3
/d of product respectively.

In the following figures some examples with different values of parameters are shown.

Kn (annual interest )= 5%; h (inflation) = 2.25%; Indirect costs= 0; Construction= 0; Staff=0;
Auxiliary energy= 0; Chemicals = 0; Insurances= 0; Maintenance= 0

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
16

Figure 7. CUP calculated for different PR values (OX: from 2 to 10) and different CUE of solar energy
consumed on the process, CUE (OY: from 0.0 to 0.08 /kWh) being the investment of the distillation
system (I) different in each of the figures.

6. Conclusions
The analysed performed is based on generic membrane distillation (MD) modules connected
with different system configurations in order to find the most suitable design for stand-alone
solar MD. Then, the main objective is to minimise both, main energy consumption and
auxiliary energy consumption, and thus the recovery rate. Configurations analysed are based
on connecting different MD (multistage concept). The following conclusions could be pointed
out from the analysis performed about stand-alone solar MD:

1. A multi-stage configuration of MD modules based on the conventional multi-stage flash
distillation process is the most suitable design.
2. If maximum operational temperature is 90C and the mean temperature gradient across
the membrane is 5C, capital costs of the solar subsystem per m
3
/h of nominal distillate
production are: about 52.4 k/(m
3
/h) for a stationary solar thermal field and less than 38.8
k/(m
3
/h) for the PV field, thus resulting in a total amount less than 90.2 k/(m
3
/h).
3. An estimation of capital cost of the solar subsystem (thermal and PV fields) could be
obtained from figure 1, as a function of recovery rate (r) and performance ratio (PR) of
the desalination system as a whole. Besides, the dependence of the PR on maximum
temperature and temperature gradient across the membrane is provided by figure 5.
4. It is possible to obtain an estimation of the CUE for a field of solar collectors versus the
investment cost and annual production (Figure 6). Also it is possible to obtain an

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
17
estimation of CUP depending on the PR, CUE for different values of investment cost
(Figure 7).

List of symbols

C
p

Mass heat capacity at constant pressure, kJ/(kgK).
q mass flow rate, kg/sec.
s
Salinity, mg/kg.
T Temperature, C.
X salt concentration, ppm.

Greek symbols

Mass enthalpy of phase change, kJ/kg.

Subscripts

B Brine
C Cooling
F Feed
f Final value
H Hot feed
i Module number
o Initial value
P Permeate

7. References
1. Blanco-Glvez, J.; Garca-Rodrguez, L., and Martn-Mateos, I., Seawater Desalination by
Innovative Solar-Powered Membrane Distillation System: MEDESOL project.
Desalination 246 (2009) 567-576
2. Garca-Rodrguez, L., Renewable energy applications in desalination. State of the art.
Solar energy 75 (2003) 381-393
3. Khayet, M.; Mengual, J. I., and Zakrzewska-Trznadel, G., Direct contact membrane
distillation for nuclear desalination. Part I. Review of membranes used in membrane
distillation and methods for their characterization, Int. J. Nucl. Desalinat., 1 (4) (2005)
435449
4. Hanemaaijer, Jan H.. Memstill low cost membrane distillation technology for seawater
desalination. Desalination 168 (2004) 355
5. Wieghaus, M.; Koschikowski, J., and Rommel, M., Solar desalination for a water supply
in remote areas with poor grid connection. Proceedings of the 2
nd
International
Conference on Renewable Energies and Water Technologies, CIERTA 2008, October, 2
nd
-
3
rd
, 2008, Almera, Spain. 13-24.

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
18
6. Kullab, A.; Liu, C., and Martin, A., Solar Desalination Using Membrane Distallation -
Technical Evaluation Case Study. International Solar Energy Society Conference,
Orlando, FL, (2005)
7. http://www.psa.es/projects/medesol.
8. Vicente Subiela Ortn. Project Engineer, Water and Sustainability Department Instituto
Tecnolgico de Canarias, S.A. Personal communication, 25/04/2009.
9. Hanbury, W.T., and Hodgkiess, T., Membrane distillation- An assessment. Desalination
56 (1985) 287-297
10. El-Dessouky, H. T.; Ettouney, H. M., Mandani, F., Performance of parallel feed multiple-
effect evaporation system for seawater desalination. Applied Thermal Engineering 20
(2000) 1679-1706

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19
SECTION II: REVIEW OF EXISTING MD PLANTS

1. Long-term performance of existing experimental systems
Some experimental systems in literature have been selected because of their long term
performance. Basic information as: main characteristics of the system: use and location,
membrane modules, feed concentration, duration of the experimentation, and other important
features like parameters analysed during the experimentation, problems found and
proceedings for solving these problems is shown in the following tables (Tables 1 - 6). Each
table shows a different experimental system.

Table 1.1
SMADES project, Marine Science Station of Aqaba, Jordan.
Small scale system, remote communities.
System features - DCMD
- Spiral wound module
- Four modules operated in parallel
- PTFE membranes
- Effective area in each module 10 m
2
- Seawater 55mS/cm
- Solar driven plant
Parameters analysed - Daily production of permeate
- % recovery
- Feed stream flow rate
- Distillate flow rate
- Conductivity of distillate
- Percent removal of dissolved solids
- Sum of global radiation
- Solar collector efficiency
- Solar radiation per unit of distillate
- GOR
- Thermal recovery ratio
Problems
Solving Methods
Procedure - Desalination system operated with solar energy from
solar collectors with a heat storage tank. PV panels for
auxiliary electric equipments. Operation time form
February to July in determined days.
References Desalination 217 (2007) 17-28

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
20
Table 1.2
Small pilot plant, USA
System features - DCMD pilot plant
- Cross flow module
- PP membrane with silicone-fluoropolymer coating
- Module surface area: 0.61-0.66m
2

- City water, City water with 3.5-10% NaCl, Seawater at
different levels of concentration.
- 3 months daily basis experimentation.
Parameters analysed - Feed and permeate temperature
- Feed interstitial velocity
- Feed composition
- Water vapour flux
- Distillate conductivity
- Percent recovery of water
- Contact angle
- Fiber deformation
Problems - Scaling
- Fiber deformation
Solving Methods - Water cleaning
Procedure - Tests in 1-10 horizontal modules combined in different
configurations
- Simulation model to predict pilot plant performances
References Journal of Membrane Science 323 (2008) 257-270

Table 1.3
Experimental system, Poland.
- PP membrane
- Module surface area: 0.012-0.05 m
2

- Tap water, Tap water softened in NF system with or
without HCl with pH=5
- 1400 h experience
Parameters analysed - Water vapour flux
- Microbial presence
- SEM-EDS analysis of membranes
-Quantitative analysis of elements present in the deposit
surface
- Content of organic compounds in feed and distillate.
- Electrical conductivity, pH and total dissolved solids of
feed and permeate
Problems - Presence of microorganisms with hazard of biofouling
- Scaling when using non acid addition feed, and need of
rinsing with acid solution to restore the initial flux of the
membrane.
- Contamination of the distillate by microorganisms present

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in air.
Solving Methods - Use of a NF process prior to or after DCMD to eliminate
completely the presence of microorganisms
- Use of feed with addition of acid permits running the
process with a stable flux for 1200 h without scaling
problems.
Procedure - Continuous operation mode with different feeds.
- Installation rinsed with 2% HCl followed by distilled
water at the start and end of the measurements.
- Membrane samples collected after 20 and 1400 h of
operation

Table 1.4
Experimental System, Poland.
- PP membranes
- Tap water 610-625 S/cm
- Continuous operation mode for 800 h.
Parameters analysed - Analysis of membranes
- Feed and distillate temperatures
- Feed and distillate flow rate
Problems - Scaling
- Wetting
Solving Methods - Control of operation parameters
- Cleaning with 2-5% HCl solution
Procedure - Module with 15 membranes
- Counter current configuration
-Continuous operation mode for 800 h with modules
cleaning every 85-150 h.

Table 1.5
System - DCMD
- PP membranes
- RO permeate and tap water 515-650 S/cm
- 3 years experience, 3600 h of operation
Parameters analysed - Permeate flux
- SEM-EDS analysis and FTIR/DRS spectra of membranes
-Electrical conductivity and Total dissolved solids of
distillate
- Permeability
- Polymer material crystal properties
- Feed temperature

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Problems - Scaling
- Partial wetting, increasing with time
-Membrane surface changes, polymer degradation,
(hydrophilization) that leads to a progressive increase of
wetting and decline of efficiency. May be due to the
combination of air contact and MD process conditions.
- Increase of polymer material crystal properties.
- Contamination of permeate
Solving Methods - Periodical remove of deposits with 5%HCl solutions
Procedure - Continuous operation mode for 900h, with periodical
rinse of 5%wt HCl solutions.

Table 1.6
Experimental system, Poland
- PP membranes
- RO permeate and tap water
- 3 years experience
Parameters analysed Permeate flux
- SEM-EDS analysis
- TOC and IC analysis of feed
- Electrical conductivity and total dissolved solids of feed
and permeate
- Inorganic carbon (IC) and total organic carbon (TOC) of
feed and permeate
Problems - Scaling when feeding with tap water
- Partial wetting produced as a consecuence of scaling
- Permeate contamination due to partial wetting
- Gradual decline of maximum permeate flux
- Contamination of permeate by air components
- Biofilms in feed and distillate tanks
Solving Methods - Removing of deposit of scale salts every 40-80 h enables
to recover initial efficiency but there is a gradual decline of
maximum permeate flux
- Drain of the tanks periodically to avoid the biofilms
Procedure - Two different operation modes: continuous with gradual
increase of feed concentration; and constant feed
concentration, on weekends.

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
23
2. Reported problems in already existing experimental systems

The problems that have arisen during the experimental operation of already existing
experimental systems in literature have been listed in the following tables. The effects of the
phenomena and the solutions given for these problems in each experimental system have been
reported, as well as the main characteristics of the corresponding system (MD technology,
type of membrane, module configuration, type and concentration of feed solution)

Tables 1-9 show this information. Each table refers to different phenomena, the experimental
system where it has taken place, the main characteristics of the system , the reported effects
registered in the operational parameters and the solution given in each of the experiences to
tackle the problem, if any.

Table 2.1 Concentration Polarization

System Effects Solution Reference
- AGMD, VMD,
DCMD
- Ceramic
membranes
- NaCl solutions
0,5M, 1M
Reduction of the
permeate flux with
time in VMD in Zr5O
Journal of
Membrane Science
337 (2009) 55-60
- VMD
- Crossflow module
- PP membrane
- Salt solution 100-
300 g/l
Reduction of permeate
flux, increases with
feed concentration
Enhancing turbulent
cross flow
Chemical
Engineering
Journal 149 (2009)
191-195
- DCMD
- PTFE membrane
- NaCl solution 0.5-
2 M
flux, increases with
feed concentration
Desalination 219
(2008) 272-292
- DCMD
- Cross flow
module
- PP Hollow fibre
membrane
- Solution with
20.4-35.0 mmol/l
Ca
2+

Cross flow
configuration reduces
concentration
polarization in
comparison with
traditional wound
spiral modules
Journal of
membrane science
311 (2008)68-80
- DCMD
- PVDF composite
membrane with PP
substrate
- NaCl solution
3.5%
flux
Composite
membranes produces
a lower concentration
polarization than
substrate
Desalination 173
(2005) 45-54

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
24
Table 2.2 Temperature Polarization

- AGMD, VMD,
DCMD
- Ceramic
membranes
- NaCl solutions
0,5M, 1M
Reduction of the
permeate flux with
time in AGMD and
DCMD, more in
DCMD
TP is reduced by high
feed and permeate
flow rates and flow
turbulence regime
Journal of
Membrane Science
337 (2009) 55-60
- VMD
- Cross flow
module
PP membrane
- Salt solution100-
300 g/l
flux, increasing with
feed temperature
TP is reduced by
enhancing turbulent
cross flow regime
Chemical
Engineering
Journal 149 (2009)
191-195
- DCMD
- PTFE membrane
2 M
flux, increasing with
feed temperature
TP is reduced by high
feed and permeate
flow rates and flow
turbulence regime
Desalination 219
(2008) 272-292
- DCMD
- Flat sheet counter
current flow
- PTFE membrane
- NaCl solution
3.5% wt
flux
TP is reduced with a
high flow rate
Journal of
Membrane Science
330 (2009) 279-287

Table 2.3 High Salinity

- DCMD
- PTFE membrane
- NaCl solution
0.5-2 M
Permeate flux
decreases 12% when
varying feed
concentration from 0M
to 2M
Desalination 219
(2008) 272-292
- DCMD
- PTFE composite
membranes with PP
substrate
-NaCl solution0.6-
73 g/l
Concentration
polarization at high
salinity that decreases
permeate flux.
The concentration
boundary layer is
reduced by enhancing
turbulent flow regime
Journal of
Membrane Science
228 (2004) 5-16

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
25
Table 2.4 Heat Loss
- DCMD
- PTFE membrane
2 M
Insulation of piping
and system prevents
heat losses
Desalination 219
(2008) 272-292
- DCMD
- Flat sheet counter
current flow
- PTFE membrane
- NaCl solution
3.5%wt
Laminar flow reduces
costs by reducing
hydraulic dissipated
energy
Journal of
Membrane Science
330 (2009) 279-287
- Flat sheet module
- PTFE membrane
- NaCl solution 1-
2M
Heat loss is reduced
by choosing adecuate
materials and
insulating
Desalination 126
(1999) 193-198

Table 2.5 Scaling
- DCMD
Cross flow module
- PP Hollow fiber
membrane with
fluorosilicone
coating
- Solution of 20.4-
35.0 mmol/l Ca
2+
- Important amount of
precipitates
-Possible damage of
membrane surface by
suspended crystalline
material
- Specially problematic
in cross flow module
because of its higher
levels of
supersaturation
-Cross flow and
fluorosilicone coating
reduce to insignificant
the flux decline in
presence of important
amount of precipitates
Journal of
membrane science
311 (2008)68-80
- NF+DCMD
- Tap water
-Decline of MD
module efficiency
- NF prior to MD;
- Acidification of feed
to pH=4 and
- Protecting net at
module inlet reduce
the problem
Desalination 177
(2005)109-119
- DCMD
- PP membranes
with fluorosilicone
coating
- Tap water with
CaCl2, NaHCO3,
Na2SO4
-Precipitation of
gypsum and calcite
decrease permeate flux
in 11% in 6 h.
-Increase of distillate
conductivity resulted
from the transport of
CO2 across the
membrane
-Prior acidification
with HCl solve the
problem
- Cross f low module
and fluorosilicone
coating eliminate
scaling rather than
uncoated fibers and
parallel flow module
Chemical
Engineering
science 64 (2009)
1844-1859
- DCMD pilot plan - Operation shut down - Water washing of Journal of

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
26
- Cross flow
module
- PP membrane
with silicone-
fluoropolymer
coating
- City water, City
water with 3.5-10%
NaCl, Seawater at
different levels of
concentration.

the modules Membrane Science
323 (2008) 257-270
- DCMD
- PP membrane
- Tap water

-Efficiency decrease
from 740 to 653 L/m
2
in 36 h.
-Scaling increased
when low flow rates,
because less porous
deposit is formed.
-Scaling produces
wetting when pores
filled by deposits,
when low flow rate.
-Reduction of feed
temperature and feed
flow velocity control
scaling
-Rinse of the module
by 3%wt HCl allows
dissolving the deposit
on the membrane
surface and restoring
initial permeability.
Desalination 228
(2008) 128-134
- DCMD
- PP membranes
- Tap water with
610-625 uS/cm

-Rapid decline of the
permeate flux;
complete cover of
membrane surface after
85 h of operation,
reducing permeability
and increasing
temperature
polarization
-Irreversible fouling,
filling of pores dont
allows to recover
initial efficiency.
-Wetting when rinsing
with HCl solutions
-Rinsing the module
with 2-5%wt HCl
solutions and drying
recover a high
efficiency, but doesnt
allows a complete
removal of deposit,
when doing it every
85-150 h and produces
wetting.
-Control of operation
conditions (e.g. higher
flow rates, lower feed
temperatures, shorter
period of time
between cleaning)
reduce the problem
Journal of
Membrane Science
325 (2008) 383

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
27
Table 2.6 Fouling

- AGMD, VMD,
DCMD
- Ceramic
membranes
- NaCl solutions
0,5M, 1M
Reduction of the
permeate flow
Journal of
Membrane Science
337 (2009) 55-60
- DCMD
- PVDF membrane
- PRO retentate
980- 1200 us cm-1,
with silica and Fe
and Mn bearing
Deposit causes feed
flow decline and
increase of
Temperature
polarization.
CaSO4 sharper decline
effect than CaCO3,
Silica influenced by
pH
Desalination 247
(2009) 540-550

Table 2.7 Wetting

- DCMD
- PTFE membrane
2 M
O rings at inlet and
outlet and both
permeate and feed
side prevent water
leakage because of
gravity
Desalination 219
(2008) 272-292
- DCMD
- PVDF
- PRO retentate
980- 1200 us cm-1,
with silica and Fe
and Mn bearing
Increase of permeate
conductivity
Desalination 247
(2009) 540-550
- DCMD
- PVDF composite
membrane with PP
substrate
- NaCl solution
3.5%
Composite
membranes helps to
avoid the wetting
problem
Desalination 173
(2005) 45-54
- NF+DCMD
- Tap water
Decline of MD module
efficiency even in first
period of operation,
and of 30% after 1100
hours of operation
Drying of membranes
restores initial
efficiency only for a
short period of time
Desalination 177
(2005)109-119

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
28
- DCMD
- PP membrane
- Tap water

Scaling produces
wetting when pores are
filled by deposits,
when operating at low
flow rates
- Scaling controlled by
maintaining low flow
rates
Desalination 228
(2008) 128-134

Table 2.8 Uneven distribution of the flow

- DCMD
- PP membranes
- NaCl solution 35
g/L
Detrimental effect on
fluid-dynamics
Journal of
Membrane Science
323 (2008) 85-98

Table 2.9 Initial decreasing of permeate flux

- DCMD
- PP membranes
- RO permeate and
tap water

Journal of
Membrane Science
265 (2005) 153-159
- DCMD
- Tap water with
610-625 uS/cm
-PP membranes

Flux gets stable after
the first period
Journal of
Membrane Science
325 (2008) 383-394
- DCMD
- PP Flat sheet and
PP capillary
membranes
Initial decrease of
permeate flux due to
the existence of bulk
liquid across the larger
micro pores of the
external areas of the
membrane,
(heterogeneous
distribution of pores in
membrane)
Inverting the warm
membrane side with
the cold one can
restore this decrease
Desalination 53
(1985) 339-346

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
29
3. Membrane maintenance in long term experiments

Amongst long term experiences that can be found in literature, the membrane maintenance
procedures and problems have been gathered in the following tables. Tables 3.1-3.5 show the
membrane problems, problem tests and procedure and maintenance procedure while non
operating periods for each of the long term experimental systems reported.

Table 3.1
Membrane PP membrane with silicone-fluoropolymer coating
Problems - Scaling
- Fibre deformation
Problem tests - Visual observation of membranes
- Measurement of feed and distillate flow rates
- Measurement of distillate conductivity
Problem procedure - Water cleaning
-Commercial membrane contactor modules cross weave,
instead of laboratory made
Non operating
procedures


Table 3.2
Membrane PP membrane
Problems - Presence of micro organisms
- Scaling
Problem tests - Visual observation
- Analysis of microbial presence of feed and permeate
- Quantitative analysis of elements present in the deposit
surface
- Measurement of content of organic compounds in feed
and distillate.
- Measurement of electrical conductivity, pH and total
dissolved solids of feed and permeate
Problem procedure - Use of a NF process prior to or after DCMD to eliminate
completely the presence of micro organisms
- Use of feed with addition of acid permits running the
process with a stable flux for 1200 h without scaling
problems.
Non operating
procedures
- Installation rinsed with 2% HCl followed by distilled
water at the start and end of the measurements.
- Membrane samples collected after 20 and 1400 h of
operation
- Analysis of membranes

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
30
Table 3.3
Membrane PP membranes
Problems - Scaling
- Wetting
Problem procedure - Control of operation parameters
Non operating procedure - Analysis of membranes
- Modules cleaning every 85-150 h.

Table 3.4
Membrane - PP membranes
Problems - Scaling
- Partial wetting,
- Increase of polymer crystal properties
- SEM-EDS analysis and FTIR/DRS spectra of
membranes
- Measurement of permeate electrical conductivity and
total dissolved solids
- Measurement of permeability
- Measurement of polymer material crystallinity
Problem procedure - Periodical remove of deposits with 5%HCl solutions
Non operating procedure

Table 3.5
Membrane - PP membranes
Problems - Scaling
- Partial wetting,
- Permeate contamination
- Bio films in feed and distillate tanks
- SEM-EDS analysis of membranes
- Measurement of permeate electrical conductivity and
total dissolved solids
- Measurement of carbon (IC) (TOC) of feed and
permeate
Problem procedure
Non operating procedure - Removing of deposit of scale salts every 40-80 h enables
to recover initial efficiency but there is a gradual decline
of maximum permeate flux

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
31
- Drain of the tanks periodically to avoid the bio films

4. Different membranes and module configurations

As reported in literature, the mostly used membranes for membrane distillation are the
hydrophobic hollow fibre polymeric membranes. The most common module configuration is
spiral wound modules with longitudinal, turbulent flow. Different configurations and
membrane materials for these have been listed in Tables 4.1 - 4.4. The reported effects, if any,
of these different membranes and configurations used are gathered as well in the following
tables.

4.1 Hollow fibre hydrophobic polymeric membranes

System Effects References
- DCMD
- PP membrane with
additional top layer on the
internal capillary surface
with less porosity
- Tap water
- Permeate flux decreases
- Scaling and wetting are
limited
Journal of Membrane
Science 287 (2007) 67-78
- DCMD
- Asymmetric PVDF
hydrophobic hollow fiber
membranes
- NaCl solution 3.5% wt
-Membrane with an ultraskin
layer and a porous support
layer permits a high trans-
membrane water permeation
flux with 99.9% NaCl
rejection
Chemical Engineering
Science 63 (2008) 2587-2594

4.2 Composite membranes (hydrophilic layer with a hydrophobic substrate)

- PVA/PEG hydrophilic layer
with PVDF substrate
- NaCl solution 3.5%
- Increases durability
- Decreases costs
Desalination 173 (2005) 45-
54
(See 4.)

4.3 Ceramic membranes

- DCMD, AGMD, VMD
- Ceramic Zirconia (Zr5O)
and Titania (Ti5) membranes
- NaCl solutions 0,5M, 1M
- Lower rejection rates
produced in VMD than
DCMD and AGMD with
Zr5O
Journal of Membrane
Science 337 (2009

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
32
4.4 Different membranes and module configurations

- VMD
- Crossflow membrane
module

-Temperature and
concentration polarization
decrease due to greater heat
and mass coefficients
Chemical Engineering
Journal 149 (2009) 191-195
- DCMD
- Flat plate module, laminar
flow.
- Composite PTFE
membrane with PP substrate
- NaCl 3.5 % wt
-TPC decreases with
increasing volumetric flow
rate and inlet feed
temperature, due to the
compensation of the
decreased hydraulic
dissipated energy increment
with the vaporization energy
gain increment
Journal of Membrane
Science 330 (2009) 279-287
- Vacuum enhanced DCMD
- Composite PTFE
membranes with PP
substrate
- Low feed temperature of
40C
- NaCl solutions 0.6-73 g/l
-Reduced temperature
polarization
-Improved mass transport of
water vapours
-Doubled permeate flux
compared with the DCMD
traditional mode
-High rejection rates, greater
than 99.9% achieved
-Minimal effect of feed salt
concentration on the
performance of the system
Journal of Membrane
Science 228 (2004) 5-16
- DCMD pilot plant
- Cross flow module
- PP membrane with silicone
fluoropolymer coating
- City water, City water with
3.5-10% NaCl, Seawater at
different levels of
concentration.
Journal of Membrane
Science 323 (2008) 257-270
- DCMD, VMD
- Transversal, cross and
longitudinal flow modules
- PP membranes

- Transversal flow module
produces a lower distillate
flux than longitudinal
module.
-Cross flow module
produces higher distillate
flux than longitudinal
module, and VMD higher
than DCMD, increasing with
increasing vacuum.
-VMD produces lower
Chemical Engineering and
Processing 47 (2008) 1098-
1105

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
33
energetic consumption and
higher evaporation
efficiency
- DCMD
- Composite PTFE
membranes with PP
substrate
- Pure water in the warm
side
-Pure water in the warm side
allows better permeate flux
Desalination 56 (1985) 277-
286
- Membrane osmotic
distillation (MOD)
- Brine circulated in the cold
side
- Laboratory made PP
membrane
- MD with brine in the cold
side increases the permeate
flux with respect of the MD
with brine in the warm side
- MOD increases the flux
and heat efficiency
simultaneously and makes
the process more flexible
Journal of Membrane
Science 183 (2001)171-179

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and exergetic analysis, economic evaluation, experimental study, Desalination 203
(2007) 260-276
[68]. Martinez-Dez, L. et al., Study of evaporation efficiency in membrane distillation,
Desalination 126 (1998) 193-198
[69]. Martinez-Dez, L. et al., Temperature and concentration polarization in membrane
distillation of aqueous salt solutions, Journal of Membranes Science (1999) 265-273
[70]. Mehdizadeh, H. et al., Membrane desalination plants from an energy-exergy view point,
Desalination 191 (2006) 200-209
[71]. Mehta, G., Comparison of membrane processes with distillation for alcohol/ water
separation, Journal of Membrane Science 12 (1982)1-26
[72]. Ohta, K. et al., Experiments on sea water desalination by membrane distillation,
[73]. Pak, A. et al., Wastewater treatment of desalting units, Desalination 222 (2008) 249-
254
[74]. Peng, P. et al., Desalination by membrane distillation adopting a hydrophilic membrane,
[75]. Qiblawey, H., et al., Solar thermal desalination technologies, Desalination 220 (2008)
633-644
[76]. Qtaishat, M. et al., Heat and mass transfer analysis in direct contact membrane
distillation, Desalination 219 (2008) 272-292
[77]. Qu, D. et al., Study in concentrating primary reverse osmosis retentate by DCMD,
Desalination 247 (2009) 540-550
[78]. Safavi, M. et al., High-salinity water desalination using VMD, Chemical Engineering
Journal 49 (2009) 191-195
[79]. Sarti, G.C. et al., Low energy cost desalination processes using hydrophobic
membranes, Desalination 56 (1985) 277-286
[80]. Schneider, K., et al., Membranes and modules for trans-membrane distillation, Journal
of Membrane Science 39 (1988) 25-42
[81]. Schofield, R:W. et al., Heat and mass transfer in membrane distillation, Journal of
Membrane Science 33 (1987) 299-313
[82]. Semiat, R., Desalination Present and future, Water International, vol. 25,num. 1, 54-65
(2000)

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[83]. Song, L. et al., Pilot plant studies of novel membranes and devices for direct contact
membrane distillation-based desalination, Journal of Membrane Science 323 (2008)
257-270
[84]. Ugrozov, V. et al., Theoretical and experimental studies on desalination using the
sweeping gas membrane distillation method, Desalination 157 (2003) 297-305
[85]. Wang, Z. et al., Experimental study of membrane distillation with brine circulated in the
cold side, Journal of Membrane Science 183 (2001) 171-179
[86]. Wang, X. et al., Feasability of potable water production via solar-heated hollow fiber
membrane distillation system, Desalination 247 (2009) 403-411
[87]. Wang, K. et al., Hydrophobic PVDF hollow fiber membranes with narrow pore size
distribution and ultra thin skin for the fresh water production with membrane
distillation, Chemical Engineering Science 63 (2008) 2587-2594
[88]. Xu, Y. et al., Pilot test of vacuum membrane distillation for seawater desalination on a
ship, Desalination (2006) 165-169

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SECTION III: INSTRUMENTATION AND CONTROL

1. Introduction

The process of desalination of water is an industrial process with certain grade of complexity
that needs of the use of the most modern means in automatisms and control to be able to be
operated with guarantees of reliability and security.
To automate a process consists on the introduction of physical elements and in the
development of software programs which take charge of carrying out the repetitive tasks of
the process, what implies to increase the reliability, because the sequential tasks will always
be carried out in the same way, with independence of the knowledge of the operator. The
operator cannot be replaced, since although the automation grade is high, some grade of
freedom is always left so that the operator gives the order of beginning of some operations or
the introduction of watchwords manuals, and here it is where errors can happen.
Having a plant of a high automation grade provides savings in costs of exploitation, allowing
controlling the different processes in an automatic way for only one plant operator.
2. Measuring instruments and control

In a desalination plant, either seawater or brackish, it is necessary to install a series of
instruments which measure and transmit the variables of the processes, to be able to act in an
automatic or semiautomatic way. These series of instruments will indicate, by means of the
reading of different variables, the state of the process in real-time.

3. Classification of the instruments

The instrumentation used in desalination plants is classified in different ways:

By the given information

- Analytic instrumentation: Instruments that inform of the variation of the chemical
state of the water and that carry out, by means of diverse techniques, an analysis of the
water. They are for example the transparency analyzers, pH, residual chlorine, redox,
conductivity, etc.
- Non analytic instrumentation or physics: which indicates the physical state of a certain
variable of the process. For example: level of a certain deposit, temperature of the
water, pressure in conduction, flow circulating for a channel, etc.

By their physical position in the process

- Local instruments: which are located in the same point that is carried out the measure
or taking of sample. For example: gauges, thermometers, flow meters, etc.

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- Instrumentation in panel: which are mounted far from the point of taking data. The
instrument panels are used to contain these in a common point. For example it is
typical to install a panel to contain the instruments that give us the characteristics of
the water after being micro-filtered. In this panel the transparency analyzers, pH,
residual chlorine, redox, conductivity, etc., are located.

By the transmitted signal

- Digital instruments: which capture digital signals, 0 or 1. Example of they are the
thermostats, rheostats, end-stops, level buoys, etc. These signals are used as digital
entrances to the control system.
- Analogical instruments: which generate a signal proportional to the value of the
variable to be measured. The level transmitters are for example, the pH analyzers, the
flow meters, etc. The generated signal usually has a value among 4 and 20 mA that is
used as an analogical entrance to the control system.
It is very important the selection of the appropriate instrument to carry out each measurement,
as well as their situation in the process.

4. Use of instruments in the different processes of a desalination plant

Temperature Transmitters:

There are two instruments to control the temperature of the fluid of the process. They consist
of a sensor and a transmitter-indicator.
The sensor of the temperature in a certain point transmits the information (signal in or in 4 -
20 mA) to an electronic (converter, indicator, inspector or regulator) receiver.
The sensitive element varies its resistance in function of the temperature. The connection head
is recommended to be of type DISN with threaded cover and combined o-rings that gives a
protection grade IP -65. This allows working in atmospheres of high humidity.
The connection will be by means of an adjustable bi-conic stainless steel AISI 316. For a
transmission of 4 - 20 mA it is necessary to mount a transmitter incorporated in the bolster
that transforms the resistance sign into a sign of 4 - 20 mA. There will be connected any
indicator or controller of temperature directly, or a processor with entrance 4 - 20 mA.
The transmitters of temperature amplify the weak signs of the sensor into current signals of
4-20mA, enabling its transmission through long distances.
It is possible to incorporate a screen for local indication of the measured value of temperature.

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Electromagnetic Flow meters:

They are good to take a control of the flow of the installation and to determine possible
incidences inside the same one.

The electromagnetic flow meters constitute a system without parts motives. They do not cause
any restriction in the circulation and therefore the load loss is irrelevant. Due to their
operation principle, based on the law of Faraday, they facilitate precise and reliable
measurements.
The law of the induction of Faraday says that, in a driver that moves inside a magnetic field a
tension it is induced. Thanks to the internal lining and to the selection of the material of the
electrodes, it is possible their employment with corrosive fluids or with solids in suspension.
The induced tension is proportional to the speed of circulation of the fluid and it is detected
by two measure electrodes and transmitted to the amplifier. The volumetric flow is computed
on the base of the diameter of the pipe. The field magnetic constant is generated by a
continuous commuted current of alternating polarity. The measuring system is composed by a
transmitter and a sensor.
Two versions exist:
- Compact version: the transmitter and the sensor form a unique mechanical unit.
- Remote version: the transmitter and the sensor are installed separately.

Pressure transmitters:

To carry out the measurement from the feeding pressure to filtration, gauges are usually used.
In case of registering value of pressure in the control system an instrument called analogical
transmitter of pressure should be used. The transmitters of pressure measure absolute pressure
or relative pressure.
The pressure to measure causes a small deflexion in the ceramic diaphragm of the sensor. The
electrodes of the ceramic sensor measure the change in the proportional capacitance to the
pressure. This value is transformed to a sign of intensity 4-20 mA that is transmitted to the
control system.
Differential pressure transmitters:

The parameter which determines that a filtration system is arriving to its maximum level of
dirt is the load loss. This load loss is measured by means of differential gauges. These are as
the conventional gauges but with two takings. One of them is connected with the collector of
feeding of water to be filtered and the other one with the collector of exit of filtered water.
This gauge detects and indicates the difference of pressure among the two collectors and
therefore the load loss that it is generating in the whole filtration battery. As accessory would
be place with differential gauge an electric contact so it gives an alarm sign, when the
differential pressure has arrived to its maximum established value.

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A transmitter of differential pressure is installed and provides an analogical sign that allows
seeing in the control system the evolution of the loss load of the system to control. For a
certain value it is necessary to keep in mind an alarm sign, so that it begins the sequence of
cleaning of membranes or filters or related cleaning procedures. The operation is the same if
the transmitter is an absolute or relative one.
Level transmitters:
The level meter indicates the liquid level which is in the deposit. With them it is possible to
establish the different levels of alarms and shot for the good operation of the desalination
plant. They are usually used ultrasonic meters because in this instrument type there is not
physical contact with the water and the physical space is not conditioned, as with a
hydrostatic level.
The operation of an ultrasonic (sensor) mounted above the product is excited electrically, an
ultrasonic impulse is directed through the air and addressed to the product. This impulse is
reflected in the surface of the product. The partially reflected echoes are detected by the same
sensor, the one which now acts as receiver, transforming them again into electric signs. The
time difference between the transmission and the reception of the impulse - the time of
journey - it is directly proportional at the existent distance between the sensor and the surface
of the product.
It is necessary to use an ultrasonic compact transmitter for the continuous measurement of
level without contact in liquids and in granulated solids (grain from 4 mm). Also to include a
sensor of temperature integrated to compensate the variations of temperature. This consists on
three transmitters, which can be equipped with one of the electronic different modules, with
measure ranges graduated starting from 0,25 m. It is adequate for saline waters but it doesn't
stop for high temperatures.
Level switches:

Sometimes, due to the operation temperature of the plant, there are considered level switches
for flotation. They are digital instruments which provide data by contact. As the analogical
level meters provide alarms of maximum level, minimum level or until even to carry out the
shot of the system before a very low level.

Level switches for membrane modules:

For the deposits of preparation of reagents that incorporate agitation, it is usually used. It is
based on a principle of pneumatic operation, with double signalling. In our plant it would not
be necessary because it has not been kept in mind the pre-treatment.
Level switches in by-pass or for magnetic sheets:

It works based on the principle of the communicating glasses. The measure camera is
mounted adjacent to the tank, the conditions in the camera and in the tank are the same ones.

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The float is equipped with a permanent magnet which transmits the values measured to the
local indicator.
The magnet displaces a meniscus magnetized in the interior of the tube.
The column of reversible yellow magnetic sheets, indicate the level of the liquid.
Flow meters:

The flow meters permit the measurement of gases and liquids in wide and varied ranges and
scales. It is designed for the most demanding conditions in service: high temperatures and
pressures, with option of including systems of alarms and analogical exits in 4-20mA.

Conductivity probes:

Conductivity is the measure of the capacity that has a material to drive the electric current.
The measurement of the electric conductivity of a solution has a direct relationship with the
quantity of solid dissociated materials that there are dissolved in them. The instruments have
two plates of a special material (platinum, titanium, nickel recovered with gold, graphite,
etc.), a source and a sector or measurement scale. With the values of the applied voltage and
with the electric intensity of the current a calibration is run. There are different instruments
the values of the conductivity are dependent of the geometry of the cell of each instrument.
Each one measures a specific conductivity which is the product of the conductivity measure
multiplied by the constant of the cell.
The measurement of the conductivity is also dependent of the temperature of the sample
during the test. So the instruments have automatic compensators of temperature.
Control elements:

In any desalination process, it is needed to control and to regulate the process. The regulation
is made modifying the physical, chemical conditions and the flow variables, pressure and
temperature in this case. The physical or chemical conditions modify by means of the
physiques or by means of the addition of reagents to modify the chemical conditions.
The variables of pressure, flow and temperature, are modified or adapted by means of the use
of the following regulation elements:
Valves of control of flow and controllers of pressure
Modifiers of frequency (controller of speed) of the bombs
Valves of flow control and controllers of pressure:

The valves of flow control are designed to give a control of precise flow and the reducers of a
regulated value and constant of pressure.
The pneumatic control valves worked by air to pressure whose action is steered through a
transducer electro pneumatic which transforms the control sign from 4 to 20 mA into
pneumatic sign from 3 to 15 psi that in turn allows passing of air on the actuator to a level of
about 5,5 bars. The use of this type of actuators is decreasing, although they are cheaper than
the actuators of electric control.

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The electric control valves work by electric motors controlled by a mounted control card in
the own valve. It is used a little power. It is usually used a transmitter of percentage position.
This transmitter have the advantage that the movement of the valve is soft and lineal, being
possible to establish the time which takes the valve in making the whole way of opening up
from 0 to 100%. The pneumatic controller's makes abrupt movements in function of the
resistance founded in the way. There are couple's constrainers which could be adjusted to
avoid break down in the event of finding obstacles on the seat of the valve, and position
transmitters down. These mechanisms are more frequently used.

Pump speed controllers:

The use of controllers of speed bears an improvement of the energy efficiency of the plant to
adapt the power of the pumps, and therefore, its consumption, to the conditions of the water in
each moment.
The modifiers control the speed of rotation of the motors by means the control about the
frequency of the feeding given to the own motor. Their function consists in that the frequency
that arrives to them, 50 Hz in Europe, it leaves toward the motor become a generally smaller
frequency, from 0 to 50 Hz. The speed of the motor is directly proportional to the frequency
of the feeding tension.
In the centrifugal pumps there is a minimum frequency below which doesn't interest to feed to
the motor, since the pressure of the pump varies with the square of the speed: halfway the
nominal speed, the pressure is the fourth part of the nominal pressure.
The use of modifiers of frequency allows the soft and progressive outburst of the motor, being
possible to establish an outburst ramp in which the time lapsed from speed 0 to 100% settles
down. Equally it allows establishing the stop ramp, what eliminates battering ram blows.
Another advantage is that it allows to eliminate the tips of intensity of outburst of the motor,
because makes it to 1,2 times the nominal intensity. It is necessary to keep in mind that the tip
of the intensity of outburst of a motor is understood between 6 and 9 times the nominal one if
a direct outburst is made, and it descends to 3,5 times if the outburst is made with a static
starter or soft starter.

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The use of modifiers of frequency is adapted when the process demands that the speed of the
motor should vary between the 40 and 100% of the nominal one.

5. Selected elements

Sensor of temperature
Probe of temperature with bolster, extension neck, connection to threaded process and integral
sheath of tube DIN 43772 2G/3G. Internal sensor protected with mineral isolation MgO.
Additional specification:
- Value of the range 0,000 C - 100,000 C
- Approval: Not classified areas
- Bolster, Entrance cable: TA30A Alu, IP66/68; M20
- Pipe Diameter; Material: 9 mm; Alloy C276, DIN43772-2G
- Longitude of the neck "E": 80 mm, DIN43772-2G80
- Connection to process: G Threads 1/2" to DIN43772;
- Forms of the sensor: Right e
- Immersion longitude "L": 50 mm
- Transmitter : TMT181 (PCP), isolated, exit 4-20 mA

Indicator of temperature
Sensor of temperature + indicator of temperature RTD Thermo-resistance TR10 + Display
RIA16.
- Approval: Not classified area
- 1 entrance, adjustable
- Feeding for knot Display LCD 5 digits
- Sweep graph, resolution 10%.
- On / Low range, process units.
- Operation by 3 internal push-button.
- Open collector.
- Protection SEAL 4x, IP67.
- Unique compartment.
- Box: Plastic, reinforced glass Fiber.
- Cable Entrance: M16

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Indicator of pressure
Cerabar M PMC41. Transmitter of pressure. Sensor: Ceramic (Ceraphire) membrane without
filler oil, resistant to overpressure. Range: 10:1. Additional specification:
- Approval: Not classified area.
- Bolster; Electric Connection: F18, Aluminum M20, IP66.
- Range of the sensor: 0-10 bar / 1 MPa / 150 relative psi
- Maximum pressure: 40 bar / 4 MPa / 600 psi
- Calibration: 0.2% range of the sensor; mbar / bar
- Output signal: 4-20 mA, SIL, HART. Display LCD 4 digits + graph of
bars
- Accuracy: 0,2 %.
- Connection to process: ISO228 Threads G 1/2", Alloy C
- Joins of the sensor: FKM Viton.

Level indicator
Prosonic S FDU90. Level measurement, Ultrasonic. Contactless. Usage: FMU90/FMU95.
Sensor cable up to 300m connectable. Sensor material: PVDF. Temperature: -40...80 C/176 F.
Pressures: 4bar/60psi abs. Blocking distance: 7cm/0,3ft. Max meas. range under ideal
condition:
- Liquid: 5m/16ft
- 3m/9ft, Solid: 1,2m/3ft.
- Self cleaning effect of sensor membrane.
- Automatic sensor recognition.
- Overflow safe, IP68 NEMA6P.
- Approval: Not classified area
- Connection Process: ISO228, PVDF rear side G1, front side G1-1/2
- Cable Length 5m/16ft

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Level alarm
Prosonic S FMU90. Transmitter of Level / Flow to connect to ultrasonic sensors
FDU9x/FDU8x. It curves of linearization: 32 points. Visualization in situ of curve of echo in
display. Automatic sensor recognition FDU90x. Easily configurable for menu. It includes
software configuration ToF-Tool.
- Approval: Not classified areas.
- Application: Level measure + pump (alternating) control.
- Box: Assembly field, IP66 NEMA 4X. Material PC
- Operation: Keyboard with display illuminated LCD.
- Feeding : 90-253V AC
- Entrance: 1 sensor FDU9x/8x
- Exit contacts: 3 relay contacts , SPDT
- Exit Sign: 0/4-20mA, HART
- Sign of additional entrance: None.
- Language: de, en, nl, fr, es, it, pt

Conductivity probes
It also includes indication and exit 4-20mA for temperature. For what the sensor of
temperature would not make lack.
Condumax W CLS21. Cell of conductivity of 2 electrodes. applications of half or high range.
Approval ATEX II 1G EEX ia IIC T3,T4,T6 and FM. Additional specification:
- Maximum temperature: 150 C.
- Maximum pressure: 16 bar (20 C).
- Measure range: 0,01-20 mS/cm. Factor K =1
- Connection to process: Threads 1" NPT; Material: PES
- Connection to transmitter: 5 meters of integral cable

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- Sensor of temperature: Thermo-resistance Pt100

Liquisys M CLM253. Transmitter of Conductivity / Resistance for inductive or conductive
sensor. Box: PC / ABS. Protection IP65. Dimensions: 247x170x115mm (height, width,
thickness). Additional specification:
- Display: LCD 2 lines; Menu in 6 languages.
- Configuration: By means of front keyboard. Calibration: Direct by
means of key CAL
- Contact of alarm assignable: Exit relay.
- Associate sensor; Software
- Feeding: 230V AC
- Exit sign: 2 signs 4-20mA.
- Additional contacts: 2 relays

Flow meter
Promag 10H15, DN15 ". Electromagnetic meter of flow. Tube with internal coating of PFA.
Maximum adjustable flow up to 15 l/min (900 l/h). Minimum conductivity 50 S/cm.
- Connection to process: Flanges PN40, EN1092-1 DIN
- Steel Stainless 316L/1.4404
- Meetings: Rings EPDM
- Electrodes: Alloy C-22
- Calibration: 0.5%
- Approval: Not classified areas
- Version: Compact. Aluminium Bolster , IP67 NEMA4X
- Feeding; Display: 85-250V AC; LCD 2 lines, push-buttons

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- Exit sign: 4-20 MA, HART + Pulses (passive)

6. Conclusions

The costs of the instrumentation for the good operation and a good control of the whole plant
can come out for some 10.000 euros, and it is distributed in percentages according to the
instrumentation type as shown in the following diagram:

When it is required that the pump varies its flow between 20-100% the advise is to use a
pump with a servo-positioner of the travel of the piston or membrane. This system is
somehow more expensive than the use of a modifier of frequency, but it is much more
necessary and more reliable. This system is used for inferior flows to 70 l/h that is not our
case.

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SECTION IV: MATERIALS

1. Introduction

It is necessary to keep in mind the lifetime of the materials in use. The desalination plants are
built to not have a period of time of use smaller than 15 years.
The main obstacle that opposes to the operation in a continuous and regular form is the
corrosion, so much in brackish waters as mainly in seawater, which can affect to all the
elements of the installation from mobile equipments, to valves, structures, instruments and
even electronic circuits of the control equipments.
The corrosion is due to three fundamental factors that are:
The salinity of the water.
The temperature of the water.
The level of O
2
and CO
2
.
The salinity of the water is the total content of salts in it.
When speaking of the salinity it is necessary to know of what type of water we are
considering. It is not the same thing seawater with content in total salts of around 40.000 ppm
than a diluted brackish of 40.000 ppm. Even water with certain salinity has a behaviour or
very different application if the salinity is mainly determined by chlorides, or if it is
determined by carbonates or sulphates.
Different classifications of the water can be established. In the following table a spectrum of
the different salinities in water is shown:

Type of Water TDS
Brine 300.000 ppm
Seawater 30.000 ppm
Brackish 3.000 ppm
Drinkable 300 ppm
Industrial 30 ppm

In the materials one has to look for the following factors:
Resistance to the corrosion.
Mechanical properties.
Good readiness and stability of prices.
Besides the corrosion, have to support the pressures (it is not our case) and the work
temperatures to which the system is supporting.

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The preferred option is the use of plastic, a more economic material compared to stainless
steels of very high quality.
Therefore, always within the accomplishment of the appropriate properties, the selection of
materials will be done by economic considerations.

2. Corrosion

The corrosion is defined as the deterioration of a material as a consequence of an
electrochemical attack by its environment. In a more general way it can be understood as the
general tendency that have the materials to fall in their most stable form or their smallest
internal energy. When the corrosion is originated by an electrochemical (oxidation) reaction,
the speed of the process will depend somehow in the measurement of the temperature, of the
pressure, the salinity of the fluid in contact with the metal and the properties of the metals in
question.
Other non metallic materials also suffer corrosion by other mechanisms.

It is necessary to distinguish different types of corrosion:
Widespread corrosion
Located corrosion
Concerning to the pressure under which the materials are working, low and high pressure
conditions can be considered. In the case of this study low pressure can be considered. The
materials in general will be subjected to pressures lower than 5 Kg/cm
2
. The only factor to
keep in mind is the high working temperature (90C). Two types of materials that play a
fundamental role are plastic and metallic materials.

3. Metallic materials. Stainless steel

As for the metallic materials it is necessary to say that that most used one is the stainless steel.
The stainless steel is defined like a steel alloy with a minimum of 10% of chromium mass
content. The stainless steel is resistant to the corrosion, since the chromium, or other metals
that it contains, possess great likeness for the oxygen and reacts with him forming a layer,
avoiding this way the corrosion of the iron.

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The great advantage of this material is the great resistance that has to discharges pressures and
temperatures and to the corrosion, the biggest inconvenience is the high cost with concerning
cost to the plastic pipes. A cost of 4 or 5 times major as minimum.

4. Plastic materials

The technology of plastics has been fundamental for the development of the desalination
facilities, since it has allowed to have materials at reasonable and very resistant prices as
much to the corrosion as to the chemical products.
The wide variety of existent plastics allows finding the appropriate material to each case.
The most used plastic materials in the facilities for desalination plants are the following ones:

Polyethylene (PE)

The pipes are used more and more in industrial applications, transport of gas, watering nets,
reparations and reuse of fluvial waters. One of the materials that have experienced an
important one blunts in the last times. It is used from those from few millimetres of diameter
to any application related with the transport of water.
The polyethylene tubes have the thermo-plastics condition and they are normalized in norms
UNE until 1.600mm of DN and pressures de 2,5 N/mm
2
, are slight, have low ruggedness,
absence of inlays, resistant to the corrosion and very susceptible to the heat (coefficient
dilation of 0,22 mm/m and C).
The advantages of the polyethylene tubes are related with the special characteristics of the
material:
Great flexibility.
Installation and easy manipulation thanks to their nimbleness.
Resistance to the corrosion, to the chemical products and the ultraviolet rays.
Toxicity absence that makes them appropriate for the transport of drinkable water.
Hydraulic good behaviour due to their low ruggedness.
Wide variety of accessories and low maintenance costs.

Polyester reinforced with fibre glass (PRFV)

The tubes of PRFV are constituted by different layers or components each one with a specific
function, but that in the total they confer some magnificent benefits to the tubes and
accessories.
The properties and advantages of this type of pipes are the following ones:
Released lifespan.
Not needs linings, cathode protection or other protection means against the corrosion.

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Low maintenance costs.
Hydraulic properties stables for a long time.
Resistance to discharges pressures.
Resistance to the abrasion.
A wave velocity smaller than which one obtains with pipes of other materials
redounds in a reduction of costs in the designs for flight attendants of pressure for
battering ram blow.
An interior flat surface results in low losses for friction, smaller demands of energy of
pumping and operative smaller costs and a smaller accumulation of muds what helps
to reduce the costs of cleaning.
The lifespan of the pipes of PRFV is a minimum service 50 years old, like one can see in the
following figure:

An advantage over the traditional materials is that the pipes of PRFV are distinguished for its
long lifetime and reduced operation costs and maintenance, for that reason it is used in
desalination plants.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

Due to the versatility of the PVC, for their capacity to be modified, it is possible to obtain
different types of compounds dedicated to the production of rigid or flexible, transparent or
opaque, compact or foam products.
The properties and advantages of this type of pipes are the following ones :
Smaller load loss, due to the smoothness of their interior surface.
Non existence of deposits and inlays in the interior section.
Bigger flow for the same value of external diameter.

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Better behaviour in front of the battering ram blow, due to their low velocity.
Resistance to discharges internal pressures, until PN 25 bar.
Excellent behaviour in front of the squashing loads.
High design tensions, making possible a smaller thickness.
Nimbleness that facilitates transport, manipulation and installation, diminishing their
cost.
Uniformity of the complete (tubes and accessories) system in oneself material.
Inert and innocuous that allows the conservation of the properties of the water for
human consumption.
Chemical stability of the material that impedes their decomposition.
Absence of oxidation and corrosion.
High resistance to the fire.

Polypropylene PP

It is a very hard and resistant plastic, it is opaque and has a great resistance to temperature
over 150C. Also it is very resistant to the corrosive products.
The properties and advantages of this type of pipes are the following ones:
Resistance to the chemical agents.
Acoustic isolation.
Low load loss: due to the completely flat surface of the interior of the tube, avoiding
this way inlays.
High resistance to the electric conduction.
Resistance to the abrasion and corrosion: this characteristic allows big speeds in the
conduction of the fluid (up to 7m/s), without erosion risk.
Thermal low conductivity reduces the dispersion of the heat of the transported fluid.

5. Conclusions

The materials of the pipes used at the moment in the facilities of inverse osmosis are,
fundamentally, the following ones in function of the purpose of these:
Process (Seawater): PRFV.
Pipes of high pressure (pressurized Seawater): stainless steel Super-duplex (Zeron
100).
Valves: stainless steel Superduplex (for those of high pressure) and nodular recovered
Foundry of pulling (process) and stainless steel 316 (Rest of valves in contact with the
water product).

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
56
Pipes of low pressure (Rejected or brined): PRFV.
Pipes of low pressure (diluted product): stainless steel 316 or melt.
In our case, alone it is necessary to keep in mind three factors, low pressure, corrosion and
high temperatures. In the following table one can do the comparative of prices with the
different pipe materials.

0
0,2
0,4
0,6
0,8
1
1,2
1
Prices%
Materials
CostofMaterials
STEEL
PE
PEX
PRFV
PVC
PP

Among the plastic materials the most viable option is the pipes of PP, for the previously
commented characteristics and for its low cost.

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
57
SECTION V: SIZING AND ECONOMIC STUDY OF A 100M
3
/ DAY MD
SOLAR PLANT

1. Sizing

In this section, the size and thermal necessities of and hypothetical MD solar plant for a
production capacity of 100 m3/ day based on the AGMD technology of Scarab AB modules
and different static collectors including the CPC will be shown. For the economical study, the
most important and expensive elements of the plant are the MD modules and the solar
collectors, therefore, this exercise will focused on those main elements, without disregarding
of the rest of the components.

For that purpose, optimal experimental data from an efficiency and performance point of use
will be used. Therefore, the configuration chosen has been 3 MD modules in series and
crosscurrent flow. Exactly the configuration planned to use in the pilot plant that was intended
to be built at Carboneras desalination plant (MEDESOL-2). This group of modules in series
will be regarded as one module and the efficiency and performance parameter will be referred
to this train of 3 modules.

Also, to maximize the heat recovery, the cols stream will be preheated through the 3 modules
and will be used afterwards as the hot inlet, reducing the heat necessities.

Figure 1. Chosen MD modules configuration (3 MD modules in series and counter current flow) for the 100
m
3
/day plant.

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
58
3 MD 20 L/min 20 mS/cm
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
7:14:00,000 9:14:00,000 11:14:00,000 13:14:00,000
Time GMT
[
C
]
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
[
L
/
h
]

[
m
S
/
c
m
]
T hot in T cold in T condenser out Distillate Conductivity

Figure 2. Experimental data corresponding to a configuration of 3 MD modules in series and cross current flow.
Hot and cold inlet temperatures as well as distillate production and conductivity are shown.
a.
PR
0
0,2
0,4
0,6
0,8
1
50 60 70 80 90
T hot inlet [C]
P
R
b.
T at the outlet of the condenser
0
20
40
60
80
100
30 40 50 60 70 80 90
T hot inlet [C]
T

c
o
l
d

o
u
t
l
e
t

[
C
]
]
Figure 3. Experimental data corresponding to a configuration of 3 MD modules in series and cross current flow.
10. a. shows the PR values obtained as a function of hot inlet temperature. 10.b. shows the outlet condenser
temperature (temperature of the pre-heated refrigeration stream)

Based on latest experimental data (shown in picture 9) carried out with the three modules in
series with the crosscurrent configuration (after refurbishment) and working with the
operational parameters shown in the table below

T cold stream Constant: kept at 30C
T hot inlet Rising: until maximum around 85C
Feed flow rate Constant: 20 L min
-1

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
59
Feed salt concentration 35 g L
-1
(conductivity around 20 mS/cm)

Taking into account these operational data and the results obtained during experimentation
shown in the graphs above, the calculation for dimensioning the desired plant are the ones
following.

1.1. Number of modules needed

At 83 C and 20 L/min of feed, the distillate production of the three modules in series is
up to 32 L/h. If we consider the three modules in series as a whole we need a total amount
of modules of:

h
L
day
m
oduction 7 . 4166
3
100 Pr = =

(1)

rows
h
L
h
L
rows N 130
32
6 . 4166
_ = =

(2)

ules MD
row
ules MD
rows ules MD N mod 390
mod 3
130 mod _ = =
(3)

Therefore, the plant will have 130 rows of modules disposed in parallel and each row
containing 3 MD modules disposed in series and in crosscurrent configuration. This
makes a total amount of MD modules of 390.

1.2. Feed flow rate

With this configuration the feed flow rate can be calculated as follows:

day
m
h
m L
parallel rows
L
rate flow Feed
3 3
3750 156
min
2600 _ 130
min
20 _ _ = = = =

(4)

1.3. Heat input (power needed)

Then, we have to calculate the power we will need to feed the MD plant. We know form
experimental data the delta T we will have to give through our solar system to heat up the
pre-heated refrigeration stream. The outlet temperature of the cold stream, working at a
feed temperature of 85C is around 51C (see fig 10.b.), therefore the delta T we will have
to supply through our solar system will be T=85-51=34C. Now we can calculate the
power need (Q
in
) of our plant.

) , ( ) , (
) , ( ) , (
_ _ _ _
_ _ _ _
out cold out cold w out cold out cold w s
in hot in hot w in hot in hot w s in
P T h P T q
P T h P T q Q

=

(5)

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
60

Where,
q is the feed mass flow rate [156 m
3
/h]
h (T
x
, P
x
) is the water enthalpy as a function of temperature and pressure [kj/kg]
sw
(T
x
, P
x
) is the water density as function of temperature and pressure. [m
3
/kg]

kW Q
in
5810 =

This corresponds to a specific heat consumption of:

3
1394
m
kWh
Q
especific
=

And a total PR of the system calculated as follows:

in
w dist
Q
P T q
PR
) , (
=

(6)

Where, is the water latent heat of evaporation, q
dist
is the mass flow rate of produced
distillate,
w
is the water density as a function of temperature and pressure and Q
in
is the
heat input calculated above.

46 . 0 = PR

1.4. Solar field design

Once the heat input and the range of temperatures have been determined, the solar field of
static collectors can be designed. Namely, we need to calculate the number of collectors
needed their arrangement and the amount of energy that they will deliver throughout the year.
The methodology followed to calculate the number of collectors needed is described in the
following epigraphs. Basically the number of collectors arranged in series corresponds to the
delta T that the process needs and the number of rows in parallel determines the power
delivered.

1.4.1. Number of collectors in a row

To calculate the number of collectors in series needed to rise up the temperature of the feed
stream, we first have to determine the temperature that one collector can reach. To do so, the
curve that describes the efficiency of the collector for different temperatures is used. This
efficiency curve is characteristic of each collector and its defined by a series of coefficients,
namely 3 coefficients and one extra parameter which is the angle modifier that depends on the
incident angle and therefore on the suns position. The curve has this shape:

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
61
2
1 2
( ) ( )
col amb col amb
i opt
T T
T T T T
K c c
G C G C
to
q q

=

(7)

Where the coefficients are the ones represent as,
opt
, c
1
and c
2 as
well as the angle modifier as
K
and are characteristic of each collector and should be provided by the manufacturer.

In the case of the MEDESOL the selected type of solar collector has been the CPC. For this
exercise the parameters of an already commercial CPC collector manufactured by AoSol (one
of the projects partners). The selected collector is CPC E3+, with a total surface of 2 m
2
and
a empty weight of around 40 kg. Its stagnation temperature is approximately 160 C.
Acceptance and truncate angles are 56 and 78 respectively (for more detailed information
visit: http://www.aosol.pt/ and http://www.estif.org/solarkeymark/regcol.php).

Figure 4. Solar collector AoSol CPC 3+ and transversal section.

The efficiency parameters and the specifications used to size the solar field are specified in
the table below.

CPC E3+ AoSol
Aperture area: 1,99 m
2

Concentration ratio: 1,15
Azimut: 180 (E-O)
Tilt: 35
Incidence angle modifier: experimental data
opt
: 0,726
c
1
: 3,7 W K
-1
m
-2

Efficiency parameters

c
2
: 0,014 W K
-2
m
-2
Nominal mass flow rate: 0,04 kg s
-1

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
62
In the case of this exercise two other collectors were also used in the calculation to make a
comparison between the different possibilities when using static solar collectors. The chosen
ones are the following.

In the case of FPC (flat plate collectors) the
Unisol 90 ClimaTIM collector of Unisolar S.A
group has been chosen. This is a sub-
atmospheric vacuum collector, with a total
area of 2.06 m
2
and an empty weight of about
35 kg. The glass cover is made of tempered
glass with a low iron content and a layer of
insulating material (TIM). The absorber is
made of aluminum and the stagnation
temperature is around 233 C (more details in
http://www.grupounisolar.com/). These
collectors are designed for applications such as
solar cooling or industrial facilities, and have a
good performance working at high temperatures (up to 90 C).

In the case of ETC (evacuated tube
collector) a commercial ETC
collector (Solmann SM-30) of the
polish company Solmann has beeen
chosen (more details in
http://www.solmann.pl/). It has a
total area of 4.189 m
2
and an empty
weight of about 95 kg. These kind of
collectors are used to produce
domestic hot water (DHW). They
have the advantage of having a
higher efficiency due to their lower
heat losses and that they are specially efficients during transition periods (spring and autum).
Their respective efficiency parameters and details are shown in the table below.

ETC Solmann SM-30 FPC Unisol 90 ClimaTIM
Aperture area: 2.83 m
2
Aperture area: 1.91 m
2

Concentration ratio: 1 Concentration ratio: 1

Figure 5. Solar FPC Unisol 90 ClimaTIM,
Unisolar S.A.)

Figure 6. Solar ETC Solmann SM-30 (Solmann, Poland)

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
63
Azimut: 180 (E-O)
Tilt: 35
Azimut: 180 (E-O)
Tilt: 35
Incidence angle modifier: experimental curve Incidence angle modifier: (for 50 0.92)
opt
: 0.656
opt
: 0.773
c
1
: 1.40 W K
-1
m
-2
c
1
: 3.071 W K
-1
m
-2

Efficiency
parameters

c
2
: 0.0123 W K
-2
m
-2
Efficiency
parameters

c
2
: 0.015 W K
-2
m
-2
Nominal mass flow rate: 0.05 kg s
-1
Nominal mass flow rate: 0.04 kg s
-1

Also the instantaneous efficiency of the solar collector is defined by the ecuation below as the
ratio between the energy provided by the collector and the energy received from the sun
(irradiance per square meter of collector)

u
i
T a
Q
G A
q =

(8)

Where,
Q
u
is the energy provided by the collector [kW]
G
t
is the irradiance [W m
-2
]
A
a
is the collectors aperture area [m
2
]

The energy delivered by the solar collector Qu can be calculated as
( )

p o i u
Q mC T T =

(9)

Where,
m
is the mass flow rate of the heat trasnport fluid throught the solar collector.
C
p
is the specific heat capacity of the heat transport fluid.
T
o
is the oulet heat trasnport fluids temperature.
T
i
is the inlet heat trasnport fluids temperature.

Combining equation from 6-9, we get to the formula

2
1 2
( ) ( )
( )
col amb col amb
p o i opt T a
T T
T T T T
mC T T K c c G A
G C G C
to
q
(
=
(

(10)

In which we consider the inlet temperature (T
i
) as the mean value between the inlet and the
oultet temperatures of our system (in our case, the mean value between 51 and 85 C) and
then we can calculate the temperature at the outlet of the solar collector. After having
calculated the delta T for one solar collector, the calculation to get the number of collectors in
a row to reach the delta T of the process is immediate.

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
64
1.4.2. Number of collectors rows in parallel

As said before, the number of rows in the solar field depends on the power required by the
process. Depending on the autonomy of the system (operation with or without heat storage)
the number of rows in parallel will be different. In our case the system considered will operate
during 8 hours without heat storage, therefore the energy necessities of this process are:
op u
t Q process Energy = _

(11)

Where, Q
u
are the power necessities of the system and t
op
is the opration time (8h). The
calculation of the number of rows in this case is simple and can be obtained dividing the
energy necessities of the process by the power supplied by one row. The power supplied by
one row is calculated as the sum of the power delivered by each of the collectors in the row.
All these calculations have to be done for one specific day (design day) and need data on
ambient temperature, global radiation and incident angle over a tilted plane during that day.

Parameters of the chosen day for the design of the solar field:
- Collectors orientation and inclination: E-O and 35
- Design day and time: 21/06/1990 (TMY generated by specific software) 12:00 h
solar time
- Longitude and latitude of the chosen location: (Palomares, Almeria) Lat. 37.2 N,
long. 1.8 E
- Global beam radiation and ambient temperature: 988 W/m
2
y 29.7 C
- Work fluid: water

Once the solar field has been sized, the energy delivered by it during the whole year can be
caculated. Finally we determine the solar fraction, which is the energy suppied by the solar
field throughout the year divided by the energy required by the system if this will operate
during a day (24h) during the whole year, and straightforwardly the extra thermal energy that
we will have to be supplied by other means (a gas boiler, for example).

Taking into account the power needed and the calculations above described, the estimate of
the solar field and its results are shown in the table below. In the table

3 MD in series crosscurrent
(8h of operation and 100 m
3
/day or 3,65 10
4
m
3
/year)
Distillate production per row 32 L h
-1

Number of rows 130 MD
Number of MD modules per row 3 MD
Number of MD modules 391 MD
156 m
3
h
-1

Feed flow rate
3750 m
3
day
-1

Hot inlet temperature 85 C
Cold outlet temperature 51 C
Brine Temperature 69 C
Power required 5810,24 kW
MD desalination system
Specific power consumption 1394,5 kWh m
-3

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
65

Number of collectors per row 5
Number of rows 1346
Solar field total area 12854 m
2
Total water production

Solar fraction 0,34 1,23 10
4
m
3

Number of rows 889
2

ETC

4
m
3

Number of rows 1596
2

CPC

4
m
3

Below there are three graphs in which we can see the production of both thermal energy and
water for the three solar static collectors selected to carry out this study.

100 m3/day Scarab 3MD FPC solar system
0,26
0,31
0,35 0,37 0,35 0,35 0,37 0,39 0,38
0,34 0,34
0,23
0,00E+00
2,00E+05
4,00E+05
6,00E+05
8,00E+05
1,00E+06
1,20E+06
1,40E+06
1,60E+06
1,80E+06
E F M A M J J A S O N D
k
W
h
0,1
1
10
100
1000
10000
S
o
l
a
r

F
r
a
c
t
i
o
n
/

[
m
3
]
Power Solar fraction Water

Figure 7. Power input needed, Solar Fraction and Water Production in a 100 m3/day solar desalination
plant using the SCARAB module and FPC solar collector

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
66
100 m3/day Scarab 3MD ETC solar system
0,25
0,30
0,33 0,34 0,34 0,34 0,35 0,35 0,35
0,31
0,26
0,23
0,00E+00
2,00E+05
4,00E+05
6,00E+05
8,00E+05
1,00E+06
1,20E+06
1,40E+06
1,60E+06
1,80E+06
k
W
h
0,1
1
10
100
1000
10000
S
o
l
a
r

F
r
a
c
t
i
o
n
/

[
m
3
]

plant using the SCARAB module and ETC solar collector

100 m3/day Scarab 3MD CPC solar system
0,25
0,31
0,35 0,34 0,32 0,32
0,35
0,38 0,36
0,31
0,27
0,23
0,00E+00
2,00E+05
4,00E+05
6,00E+05
8,00E+05
1,00E+06
1,20E+06
1,40E+06
1,60E+06
1,80E+06
k
W
h
0,1
1
10
100
1000
10000
S
o
l
a
r

F
r
a
c
t
i
o
n
/

[
m
3
]

plant using the SCARAB module and CPC solar collector

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
67
1.5. Complete Solar Membrane Distillation plant design

Due to the very high thermal energy consumption needed with the used SCARAB AGMD
module (1.394,5 kWh per m
3
produced), the solar field design and associated desalinated
water cost have been estimated considering not only this level of energy requirement but also
all possible range (if adequate improvements are achieved). The values of specific thermal
consumption to the MD modules considered to the subsequent cost estimations were the
following:
- 1.394,5 kWh/m
3
(nominal value obtained during the experimental campaigns), value
equivalent to a Performance Ratio (PR) of 0,46.
- 1.000 kWh/m
3
(PR = 0,64)
- 700 kWh/m
3
(PR = 0,92)
- 500 kWh/m
3
(PR = 1,29)
- 250 kWh/m
3
(PR = 2,58)
- 100 kWh/m
3
(PR = 6,44)

Following figures shows the results obtained related with solar field and complete MD
desalination system design in the case of the 3 different solar collectors considered.

0
2000
4000
6000
8000
10000
1394,5 1000,1 700,2 500,2 250,3 100,1
Specific thermal consumption [kWh/m3]
N
u
m
b
e
r

o
f

S
o
l
a
r

C
o
l
l
e
c
t
o
r
s ETC FPC CPC

Figure 10. Total number of solar collectors needed in function specific thermal energy consumption per
m3 of desalinated water produced

0,00
0,20
0,40
0,60
0,80
1,00
1394,5 1000,1 700,2 500,2 250,3 100,1
ETC FPC CPC

Figure 11. Solar Fraction achieved by each solar collector field considered in function specific thermal
energy consumption per m3 of desalinated water produced

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
68

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a
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.

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3
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/
h
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s
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1
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n
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s
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1
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1
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1
3
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1
3
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l
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r
a
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e

(
Q
)
1
5
6
1
5
6
m
3
/
h
1
5
6
m
3
/
h
1
5
6
m
3
/
h
1
5
6
m
3
/
h
1
5
6
m
3
/
h
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m
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8
5
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.
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4
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6
7
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7
2
7
2
,
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8
,
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W
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/
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0
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/
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W
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k
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/
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3
F P C E T C C P C M D S Y S T E M

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
69
Total number of AGMD SCARAB modules considered are 391 in all cases (3 units per row
connected in series).

Next figure shows the total yearly fresh water production in all cases and with the 3 different
solar collector technologies considered.

0
5000
10000
15000
1394,5 1000,1 700,2 500,2 250,3 100,1
Y
e
a
r
l
y

w
a
t
e
r

p
r
o
d
u
c
t
i
o
n

(
m
3
)
ETC FPC CPC

Figure 12. Yearly production of desalinated water

2. Economic Analysis

The used procedure to calculate the desalinated water cost is the one indicated within the
book: Desalination and Advanced Water Treatment Economic and Financing, by Corrado
Somariva (Balaban Desalination Publications).

The water cost is calculated using the following general formula used for the calculation of
desalination facilities water cost:

M VO Y
W
M FO
W
CAPEX
C
P
eq C eq C
W
& + +
&
+

=
(12)

Where:

- CAPEX: capital needed to be invested into the production facility. This value amounts
to the current value of all expenses during the planning, procurement, construction and
commissioning such as the price of the plant, construction interest, etc.
- : annuity factor (year
-1
), given by the following formula

= z / [1- (1+z)
-n
]

- Wc: rated water output (m
3
)
-
eq
: equivalent utilization time at rate output (hours/year)
- : specific power (electricity) consumption of the facility (kWh/m
3
)
- Y
p
: price of power (/kWh)
- FO&M: fixed cost of operation, maintenance and administration (/year)

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
70
- VO&M: variable cost of operation, maintenance and repair (/m
3
)
- z: discount rate (%/year)
- n: amortization period in years

In the case of the MEDESOL project, the cost of produced water was calculated considering
the following possible options:

Three different possible solar collectors (previously described) to provide the thermal
energy:
FPC (flat plate collectors) Unisol 90 ClimaTIM. Unit cost = 769
ETC (evacuated tube collector) Solmann SM-30. Unit cost = 1.050
CPC (compound parabolic collector) AoSol E3+. Unit cost = 500
Four different cost of the SCARAB MD module (cost provided by the company in
function of the production and investment realized):
5.000 /unit (cost of units used at MEDESOL project)
3.000 /unit
1.000 /unit
500 /unit
Six different levels of low grade thermal energy required to produce 1 m
3
of
desalinated water (directly related with the thermal energy recovery and energy
efficiency of the technology and also previously indicated):
1.394 kWh/m
3
(thermal energy requirement achieved at MEDESOL project)
1.000 kWh/m
3

700 kWh/m
3

250 kWh/m
3

100 kWh/m
3

Therefore, a total of 3x4x6 = 72 water costs were estimated.

Other used figures (constant at all 72 previous scenarios) were the following:

- Discount rate (z) = 7 %
- Amortization period (n) = 25 years
- Power cost (electricity) = 0,15 /kWh
- Fixed operation and maintenance cost estimated to be around 2 percent of CAPEX
- No variable cost of operation, maintenance and repair were considered
- No land cost was also considered

The following tables summarised these 72 defined cost scenarios:

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
71
Table 7. Desalinated water cost (/m3) of considering MD SCARAB module cost of 5.000 /unit and FPC
Unisol 90 ClimaTIM solar collector (769 /unit). Discount rate = 7%; amortization period = 25 years


MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
72

Table 10. Desalinated water cost (/m3) of considering MD SCARAB module cost of 500 /unit and FPC

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
73
Table 11. Desalinated water cost (/m3) of considering MD SCARAB module cost of 5.000 /unit and ETC
Solmann SM-30 solar collector (1.050 /unit). Discount rate = 7%; amortization period = 25 years


MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
74

Table 14. Desalinated water cost (/m3) of considering MD SCARAB module cost of 500 /unit and ETC

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
75
Table 15. Desalinated water cost (/m3) of considering MD SCARAB module cost of 5.000 /unit and CPC
AoSol E3+ solar collector (500 /unit). Discount rate = 7%; amortization period = 25 years


MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
76

Table 18. Desalinated water cost (/m3) of considering MD SCARAB module cost of 500 /unit and CPC

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
77
3. Conclusions
All previous tables can be summarized into the following graphs showing the final water cost
in all analyzed cases.

1400 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
UNISOL 90 ClimaTIM Flat Plate Collector

MD Unit Cost = 5000 Euros
T
o
t
a
l

W
a
t
e
r

C
o
s
t

(
E
u
r
o
/
m
3
)
Thermal Energy Consumption (kWh/m3)

Figure 13. Water cost evolution using SCARAB MD technology and FPC Unisol 90 ClimaTIM solar
collector. Discount rate = 7%; amortization period = 25 years

1400 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
SOLMAN SM-30 Evacuated Tube Collector
T
o
t
a
l

W
a
t
e
r

C
o
s
t

(
E
u
r
o
/
m
3
)

Figure 14. Water cost evolution using SCARAB MD technology and ETC Solmann SM-30 solar collector.
Discount rate = 7%; amortization period = 25 years

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
78
1400 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
CPC 3+ AO SOL Solar Collector
T
o
t
a
l

W
a
t
e
r

C
o
s
t

(
E
u
r
o
/
m
3
)

Figure 15. Water cost evolution using SCARAB MD technology and CPC AoSol E3+ solar collector.
Discount rate = 7%; amortization period = 25 years

From all these results, main conclusions are the following:
- All achieved results are very far from the previously existing in the scientific literature
(considering membrane distillation technology in general). Real thermal energy
consumption achieved is in the range of 1.300 kWh/m
3
.
- Technology is not considered viable if specific thermal energy consumption of solar
membrane distillation processes is not reduced below the 200 kWh/m
3
.
- Specific thermal energy consumption affects linearly to the cost of the produced water
(50% reduction means about 50% reduction in the final cost), being therefore very
important to achieve effective internal energy recovery into the modules.
- Technology is not considered viable if the cost of MD modules is not reduced below
1000 Euros per unit. This is considered to be a suitable target, in the case of SCARAB
technology, as plastic is one of the main component of the modules. Below this level of
1000 Euros/unit, MD modules cost has a minor influence on the final water cost.
- Distilled water production ratio by MD technology is still very low. SCARAB
technology, with 2,8 m
2
of membrane per module, produce about 3,8 litres of distilled
water per hour and square meter of membrane (by contrast, current Reverse Osmosis
technology typically produces about 14 L/m
2
h), and very far from the reported results
achieved at (very small) lab scale (80 L/ m
2
h at 60 C).
- Distillate production is very low when operating temperatures are below 80 C, meaning
that energy consumption significantly increases, so the practical range of operating
temperatures is not so high than indicated in the literature.
- The combination of these mentioned three factors: MD technology cost reduction,
specific thermal energy consumption reduction and water production ratio (per m
2
of
membrane) increase, is considered critical to make possible any commercial viability of
the application to solar desalination.
- If waste heat is used, global water costs are reduced from 80% (5.000 /MD unit) to 40%
(500 /MD unit) if low consumption of thermal energy is considered (100 kWh/m
3
).

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
79
SECTION VI: ECONOMIC STUDY (REVERSE OSMOSIS PLANT)

1. Costs of a desalination plant

The economic study of a desalination plant depends on the quality of the water product.
Therefore, it is necessary to know the use of the water product. In reverse osmosis systems,
the design should be adapted to the feed water and product quality requirements. The plant
capacity and those parameters mainly determine the plant cost.
Efficiency of the teams.
Materials to use.
Conversion.
Membranes.
Time of operation of the installation.
Also, the energy has an important role. In small facilities the effect of the cost of the
manpower can be important.
Fixed costs

The fixed expenses are those generated on the construction of the plant. Costs of a
desalination plant are divided in the following graph:

Variable costs

They take place exclusively as consequence of the operation or operation:
Chemical reagents.
Reinstatement of membranes. Reinstatement of cartridges. Reinstatement of sands.
Chemical cleaning.
Reserves.
Energy.

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
80
In our case, without having data of the membranes, they are not considered, lowering the cost
the installation.

2. RO Desalination Plant

A desalination plant of water of brackish for Reverse Osmosis with a feed flow of 48 m
3
/day
can obtain a total capacity of 34 m3/day, with a system of two stages in serial configuration,
with membranes of 4" of diameter and 40" of longitude and with a quality to 250 ppm
The parts of an installation of this type are the following ones:
- Group of O.I.
- Pre-treatment of the Water of Feeding
- Filtration in Sand.
- Filtration of Cartridges.
- Pumping of High Pressure.
- Wing of Inverse Osmosis.
- Auxiliary System of Flushing and Chemical Cleaning.

Comparative economic study between an RO. plant and MD plant.

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
81

All the pumps of the system will go equipped with modifier of frequency of last generation of
the mark POWER ELECTRONICS. It will be considered a pump of chemical flushing /
cleaning for the own installation. The system has to be equipped with a synoptic square in
which figures the state of the components of the system. The electric feeding is of 400 V / 50
Hz.
The obtaining of the quality is contemplated from the inferior water to 250 ppm. The
equipments and materials to be used have looked for the best quality with the practical
experience of this type of facilities.
Leaving of the carried out diverse projections and considering the existent multiple
possibilities, the preferred option has been to offer a plant that operates to 70 conversion%
with a temperature of the water of C feeding, as most unfavourable case.

Units of the Desalination Plant
- Units of pumping: unit of pumping of high pressure has the fundamental mission of
providing the necessary pressure. The pump of high pressure is of the commercial
mark GRUNDFOS, manufactured in stainless steel stainless 316-L and installed
vertically. It will settle an electric modifier of speed of last generation for the pump of
high pressure, with the purpose of optimizing the yield of the plant and of own pump,
marks POWER ELECTRONICS.
- Number of Units: 1 unit.
- Maker: GRUNDFOS
- Model: XVM 422 N40 (VERTICAL).
- Flow on the point of design: 2,02 m
3
/h.
- Pressure on the point of design : 15,5 Kg/cm
2
. (Pmx = 19,4 Kg/cm
2
)
- Construction Materials: Stainless Steel 316-L
- Efficiency: 56 %.
Temperature 19-23 C
pH 7,71
Conductivity
(mS/cm)
2,24
K 0,2
Na 480,7
Mg 76,3
Ca 116,1
NO3 20
Cl 361,9
SO4 284,4

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
82

Characteristic of the Motor: 2.900 rpm, IP-55, 400 V, 50 Hz, isolation class F, outburst with
modifier of frequency. Net Power = 3 Kw. (4Hp)
- Units of Inverse Osmosis: the design of the wing has been considered the installation
of 2 tubes of pressure of front feeding, of 4" of diameter and 300psi, the interior has 5
membranes, of the commercial signature BEL, CODELINE. What means that they
will settle a total of 10 membranes in hairspring of brackish water, of the mark Toray.
- Circuit of low pressure: All the pipes and necessary accessories to carry out the
connections of low pressure will be in PVC in PN-16, with the appropriate diameters
to the different flows of feeding water, it dilutes product and it dilutes of rejection,
with the purpose of having the lost minor of possible load and speed of water ideal in
this type of pipes. On the other hand the valves that are part of this circuit of low
pressure will be all built ones with body of PVC, axis of stainless steel and their seats
will be of EPDM, and their nominal pressure they will be of 16 bar, of the commercial
mark Hidroten.
- Pipes and Accessories:
Construction Material: PVC.
Nominal Pressure: PN-16.

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
83
- Circuit of high pressure: The whole pipe and accessories (Elbows, Teas, Reductions
and Flanges) are carried out in stainless steel 316-L. The valves are built in steel AISI-
316L, type WAFER. The nominal pressure is of 25 bar, PN -25.
- Pipes and Accessories: Construction Material: AISI-316-L. Nominal Pressure: 40 bar.

- Instrumentation and control:
The gauges installed in the circuit of low pressure are manufactured totally in stainless
steel 316-L and the measurement range goes of 0-10 bar, of commercial mark WIKA.
They are placed to the entrance of aspiration of the pump, exit of the pump, exit of
water product and to exit of the rejection.
- Marks: WIKA
- Model: 262.50.100
- Measurement Range: 0 40 bar
- Construction Materials: Stainless Steel.
The pressure switch is of double commutation contacts. All the pressure switch are
installed on a panel and they are placed in the suction of the pump, entrance and exit
of the membranes.
- Marks: TELEMECANIQUE - NAUTILUS
- Model: XML B010A2S11 (Low Pressure)
XML B40D2S11 (High Pressure)

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
84
- Measurement Range: 0,7 10 bar ; 10 40 bar

Meter of conductivity will measure the concentration of present electrolyte in the
process fluid for detection of its specific conductance. The same ones are formed by
the measure cell and transmitter. The cell will be located in the line of process of the
exit of the water product of tubes of pressure.
- Mark: HANNA INSTRUMENTS
- Model: Continuous controller BL 983313 + probe of conductivity
Meter of flow is constituted in PVC. They serve couple to measure the flow of water
product and it dilutes of rejection and they are located in the circuit of low pressure.
- Mark: COMAQUINSA
- Model: R-003
- Measurement range: 100-1.000 l/h (rejected water) 400-4.000 l/h
(produced water)
Panel with optical alarms of stop and protection.
- Construction materials: Methacrylate
Modifiers of frequency and starters allow to vary the speed, modifying this way the
characteristic curve of the pump and in consequence to adapt the flow from the pump
to the required necessities each moment.
- Mark: Power Electronics
- Serie: ELITE

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
85
- Model: SD 45008 F
- Voltage: 380 V
- Nominal intensity: 10 A.
- Protection: IP-20

Total power of the installation

For an installation of this type the power of the pump of high pressure is 4 kW. It has not been
considered the pump of cleaning of the membranes because although they were alone it would
enter in operation in the stop of the plant. Protection and control of the pump are controlled by
modifier of frequency of high range, Power Electronics and equipped with filters RFI to the
entrance and exit obtaining an energy important saving since alone we will use the necessary
kW to carry out the process.
Costs of a desalination Plant of O.I

The costs of a plant of these dimensions have an approximate value of 30.000 euros and it can
break down in the following percentages like it is shown in the graph:

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
86

The yield and the cost of the teams is variable in function of different parameters like the
pressure, temperature, salinity of the water and state of the different ones.

3. Conclusions

In comparison with an installation of inverse osmosis of brackish water:

RO Medesol-2
Initial flow (l/h) 2.000
Final flow (l/h) 1400 179,09
Conversion % 70 11
Energy expenses (Kwh/m
3
) 4 2,3
Range of temperatures Small High
Pressure High Low
Pre-treatment necessity Yes No
Costs of operation Medium Low
Installation costs Medium Medium
Total costs Medium Medium

What demonstrates that this installation type, have a smaller consumption energy, smaller
installation costs but cannot obtain the same quantity of water product.

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
87
4. Photovoltaic Study

Here it is presented a study of the photovoltaic field necessary to cover electrical power of the
MEDESOL filtering unit.

First, a study of the solar radiation field incident at the Solar Platform of Almera (PSA,
located at Southeast of Spain, in the Tabernas Desert (370527,8 North Latitude, 22119
West Longitude), with a direct solar incidence over 1.900 kWh/m2 per year and a yearly
mean temperature of about 17C), where the MEDESOL prototype is planed to be installed. It
is assumed a fixed tilt of the photovoltaic panels of 50, and the orientation as described in the
diagram bellow. The orientation and tilt were optimized for the period from October to
March.

In order to calculate the necessary power, it has been assumed that the photovoltaic field must
provide electrical power for a small scale desalination plant with the following depending
electrical elements:

1. Suction pumps:

Water height 5 m (8.000 l/h) 120 W;
Water height 8,5 m (13.000 l/h) 220 W
Necessary real flow: [200-400] l/h

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
88
2. Recirculation pumps:

Necessary real flow: [200-400] l/h (maximum height 3m).
Pump efficiency: 400 2.800 l/h (maximum height 3m).
Electrical consumption: 35-55 W (recirculation pump Master 1073.03).

3. Computing equipment and sensors (thermocouples, alarms, etc): 50-80 W

It is assumed that the device is working 12 hours per day and that in case of failure or bad
weather it is guaranteed electrical power to allow the start-up of the system up to three days
after a shutdown of the photovoltaic panels. The total cost of the installation (prices as at the
end of 2009) is of about 15.203 . This amount must be increased by 5.000 to give a benefit
margin for the installation company. Following is a distribution of the costs of all the
elements necessary for the integration and installation of the device for electrical power
produced by photovoltaic panels:

- Manpower / management of funds / legal issues: 1.107 (it does not include civil
work licence).
- Photovoltaic generator: 4.050 .
- Power conditioning (inverters): 1.367 .
- Power lines connections and electrical interconnection: 7.645 .
- Support structure and mechanical mounting: 486 .
- Transport of equipment to site: 141 .
- Contingency: 407 .

In the following figures the costs of all the items above are detailed.

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
89

MEDESOL-DL12-ULL-02
90

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