DOCSLIB.ORG

Energy, Exergy, and Thermo-Economic Analysis of Renewable Energy-Driven Polygeneration Systems for Sustainable Desalination

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Energy, Exergy, and Thermo-Economic Analysis of Renewable Energy-Driven Polygeneration Systems for Sustainable Desalination processes Review Energy, Exergy, and Thermo-Economic Analysis of Renewable Energy-Driven Polygeneration Systems for Sustainable Desalination Mohammad Hasan Khoshgoftar Manesh 1,2,* and Viviani Caroline Onishi 3,* 1 Energy, Environment and Biologic Research Lab (EEBRlab), Division of Thermal Sciences and Energy Systems, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Technology & Engineering, University of Qom, Qom 3716146611, Iran 2 Center of Environmental Research, Qom 3716146611, Iran 3 School of Engineering and the Built Environment, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh EH10 5DT, UK * Correspondence: [email protected] (M.H.K.M.); [email protected] (V.C.O.) Abstract: Reliable production of freshwater and energy is vital for tackling two of the most crit- ical issues the world is facing today: climate change and sustainable development. In this light, a comprehensive review is performed on the foremost renewable energy-driven polygeneration systems for freshwater production using thermal and membrane desalination. Thus, this review is designed to outline the latest developments on integrated polygeneration and desalination systems based on multi-stage flash (MSF), multi-effect distillation (MED), humidification-dehumidification (HDH), and reverse osmosis (RO) technologies. Special attention is paid to innovative approaches for modelling, design, simulation, and optimization to improve energy, exergy, and thermo-economic performance of decentralized polygeneration plants accounting for electricity, space heating and cool- ing, domestic hot water, and freshwater production, among others. Different integrated renewable Citation: Khoshgoftar Manesh, M.H.; energy-driven polygeneration and desalination systems are investigated, including those assisted Onishi, V.C. Energy, Exergy, and by solar, biomass, geothermal, ocean, wind, and hybrid renewable energy sources. In addition, Thermo-Economic Analysis of recent literature applying energy, exergy, exergoeconomic, and exergoenvironmental analysis is Renewable Energy-Driven reviewed to establish a comparison between a range of integrated renewable-driven polygeneration Polygeneration Systems for and desalination systems. Sustainable Desalination. Processes 2021, 9, 210. https://doi.org/ Keywords: energy and exergy analysis; exergoeconomic analysis; exergoenvironmental analysis; 10.3390/pr9020210 economic analysis; renewable energy; sustainable development Academic Editor: Julius Motuzas Received: 28 December 2020 Accepted: 20 January 2021 1. Introduction Published: 23 January 2021 Global energy and freshwater demands have risen hand-in-hand with population Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral growth and economic development over the past decades. According to the International with regard to jurisdictional claims in Energy Agency (IEA), significant progress has been achieved worldwide in increasing elec- published maps and institutional affil- tricity access towards meeting the targets by 2030 [1]. Accordingly, the world’s population iations. lacking electricity access decreased from 1.2 billion in 2010 to 789 million in 2018 [2]. How- ever, upholding this electrification rate will be challenging in the upcoming years due to the deficient distribution infrastructure and the difficulty of reaching isolated communities [3]. The implementation of decentralized polygeneration systems can be a suitable solution not only to address ever-increasing energy demands, but also to provide electricity to remote Copyright: © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. areas without requiring substantial investments in distribution infrastructures [3,4]. As far This article is an open access article as water scarcity issue is concerned, integrating desalination technologies to conventional distributed under the terms and polygeneration systems can be considered for meeting freshwater demands, particularly in conditions of the Creative Commons highly water-stressed countries. In this light, the most promising alternatives include the Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// integration of the thermal and membrane desalination technologies such as multi-stage creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ flash (MSF), multi-effect distillation (MED), humidification-dehumidification (HDH), and 4.0/). reverse osmosis (RO). Still, the urgency of achieving climate mitigation goals requires a Processes 2021, 9, 210. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr9020210 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/processes Processes 2021, 8, x FOR PEER REVIEW 2 of 31 structures [3,4]. As far as water scarcity issue is concerned, integrating desalination tech- nologies to conventional polygeneration systems can be considered for meeting freshwa- ter demands, particularly in highly water-stressed countries. In this light, the most prom- Processes 2021, 9, 210 ising alternatives include the integration of the thermal and membrane desalination 2tech- of 29 nologies such as multi-stage flash (MSF), multi-effect distillation (MED), humidification- dehumidification (HDH), and reverse osmosis (RO). Still, the urgency of achieving climate mitigation goals requires a considerable increase of renewable energy shares in energy systems.considerable Integrated increase renewable of renewable energy-drive energy sharesn polygeneration in energy systems. and desalination Integrated renewable systems allowenergy-driven for mixing polygeneration different renewable and desalination energy resources systems (e.g., allow solar, for mixing biomass, different geothermal, renew- ocean,able energy and wind), resources while (e.g., producing solar, biomass, several geothermal, useful energy ocean, services and wind), (including while electricity, producing spaceseveral heating useful and energy cooling, services domestic (including hot water) electricity, and materials space heating (freshwater, and cooling, biofuels, domes- syn- thetictic hot fuels, water) and and other materials chemicals). (freshwater, Figure 1 biofuels,shows main synthetic inputs fuels, and outputs and other of typical chemicals). pol- ygenerationFigure1 shows systems. main inputs and outputs of typical polygeneration systems. FigureFigure 1. 1. SchematicSchematic of of inputs inputs and and outputs outputs of of typical typical polygeneration polygeneration systems. systems. TheThe appropriate appropriate design design of of an integrated renewable energy-driven polygeneration andand desalination desalination system system leads leads to to an an optimized optimized integration integration of of distinct distinct subsystems subsystems with with the the sharingsharing of equipmentequipment betweenbetween different different processes, processes, resulting resulting in significantin significant energy, energy, costs, costs, and andenvironmental environmental savings savings [5]. Nevertheless, [5]. Nevertheless, the design the design and optimization and optimization of integrated of integrated renew- renewableable energy-driven energy-driven polygeneration polygeneration and desalination and desalination systems systems is a very is a complex very complex endeavor, en- deavor,which requires which requires advanced advanced energy, exergyenergy, and exergy thermo-economic-based and thermo-economic-based tools to reliablytools to im-re- liablyprove improve the overall the system overall performance. system performance. Within this Within framework, this framework, this review this is review designed is de- to signedoutline to the outline latest the developments latest developments on the modelling, on the modelling, design, simulation,design, simulation, and optimization and opti- mizationof integrated of integrated renewable rene energy-drivenwable energy-driven polygeneration polygeneration systems forsystems sustainable for sustainable desalina- desalination.tion. Special Special attention attention is paid is to paid the most to the innovative most innovative approaches approaches focused focused on enhancing on en- hancingenergy, exergy,energy, and exergy, thermo-economic and thermo-economic performance performance of decentralized of decentralized polygeneration polygenera- plants tionaccounting plants accounting for electricity, for spaceelectricity, heating space and heating cooling, and domestic cooling, hot domestic water, andhot water, freshwater and freshwaterproduction, production, among others. among Furthermore, others. Furtherm recent literatureore, recent applying literature energy, applying exergy, energy, exergoe- ex- ergy,conomic, exergoeconomic, and exergoenvironmental and exergoenvironmental analysis is reviewed analysis to establishis reviewed a comparison to establish between a com- parisona range between of renewable-driven a range of renewabl polygeneratione-driven systems. polygeneration systems. This review is structured as follows. The most important thermal and membrane desalination technologies are presented in Section2. Section3 outlines the renewable energy resources used in polygeneration systems. The energy, exergy, and thermo-economic methodologies of analysis used in the literature are addressed in Section4, while the latest works on renewable energy-driven polygeneration systems are discussed in Section5. Finally, the major remarks and conclusions are summarized in Section6. Processes 2021, 9, 210 3 of 29 2. Thermal and Membrane Desalination Technologies Although the most crucial resource for sustaining life is water, accessible freshwater resources for human consumption are limited, consisting of only 0.75% of the Earth’s available water. Approximately
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Osmotic Power. from Prototype to Industry
    3rd International Conference on Ocean Energy, 6 October, Bilbao Osmotic Power. From prototype to industry – what will it take? Simen Bræin, Øystein Skråmestø Sandvik and Stein Erik Skilhagen 1 Statkraft PO Box 200 Lilleaker 0216 Oslo, Norway Abstract of a new, renewable energy source. This potential represents a worldwide electricity production potential It has been known for centuries that mixing freshwater of more than 1600 TWh per year – equivalent to 50 % and seawater releases energy. Statkraft has utilised of the total electricity production in the EU. For Pressure Retarded Osmosis (PRO) to capture this Pressure Retarded Osmosis, also known as osmotic energy and proved that it is possible to produce power, the released chemical energy is transferred into electricity from mixing freshwater and saltwater. Fall pressure instead of heat. This was first considered by 2009 Statkraft completed and put in operation the Prof Sidney Loeb in the early 70’s, when he designed world’s first prototype of an osmotic power plant. The the world’s first semi-permeable membrane for global potential of this energy source represents a desalination purposes using reverse osmosis. worldwide electricity production of more than 1600 TWh per year. Large scale development of osmotic Osmotic power is in fact based on naturally occurring energy will not only give a completely renewable and osmosis, triggered by nature’s drive to establish emissions-free power, it will also provide baseload equilibrium between different concentrations in liquids. energy with minimal ecological footprint. Osmosis is a process by which solvent molecules pass through a semi-permeable membrane from a dilute Meeting future energy and climate needs requires solution into a more concentrated solution.
    [Show full text]
  • Energy Efficiency and Economy-Wide Rebound Effects: a Review of the Evidence and Its Implications
    Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews xxx (xxxx) xxx Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews journal homepage: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/rser Energy efficiency and economy-wide rebound effects: A review of the evidence and its implications Paul E. Brockway a,*, Steve Sorrell b, Gregor Semieniuk c,d, Matthew Kuperus Heun e, Victor Court f,g a School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, UK b Science Policy Research Unit, University of Sussex, UK c Political Economy Research Institute & Department of Economics, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, USA d Department of Economics, SOAS University of London, UK e Engineering Department, Calvin University, 3201 Burton St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49546, USA f IFP School, IFP Energies Nouvelles, 1 & 4 avenue de Bois Pr´eau, 92852, Rueil-Malmaison cedex, France g Chair Energy & Prosperity, Institut Louis Bachelier, 28 place de la Bourse, 75002, Paris, France ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Keywords: The majority of global energy scenarios anticipate a structural break in the relationship between energy con­ Energy efficiency sumption and gross domestic product (GDP), with several scenarios projecting absolute decoupling, where en­ Economy-wide rebound effects ergy use falls while GDP continues to grow. However, there are few precedents for absolute decoupling, and Integrated assessment models current global trends are in the opposite direction. This paper explores one possible explanation for the historical Energy-GDP decoupling close relationship between energy consumption and GDP, namely that the economy-wide rebound effects from Energy rebound improved energy efficiency are larger than is commonly assumed. We review the evidence on the size of economy-wide rebound effects and explore whether and how such effects are taken into account within the models used to produce global energy scenarios.
    [Show full text]
  • Exergy Accounting - the Energy That Matters V
    THE 8th LATIN-AMERICAN CONGRESS ON ELECTRICITY GENERATION AND TRANSMISSION - CLAGTEE 2009 1 Exergy Accounting - The Energy that Matters V. Fachina, PETROBRAS 1 Exergy means the maximum work which can be Abstract-- The exergy concept is introduced by utilizing a extracted from a control volume. Also it is the maximum general framework on which are based the model equations. An energy quantity which can be made useful after discounting exergy analysis is performed on a case study: a control volume the irreversible losses. Finally, exergy means a physical, for a power module is created by comprising gas turbine, chemical contrast level between a control volume and its reduction gearbox, AC generator, exhaustion ducts and heat nearby surroundings. regenerator. The implementation of the equations is carried out Now considering the economical realm, Fig. 1 can be by collecting test data of the equipment data sheets from the respective vendors. By utilizing an exergy map, one proposes translated as follows: the reversible losses as either business both mitigating and contingent countermeasures for maximizing productivity losses or refundable taxes; the irreversible ones the exergy efficiency. An exergy accounting is introduced by as either nonrefundable taxes or inflation; the right arrows as showing how the exergy concept might eventually be brought up product and service values; the left ones as product and to the traditional money accounting. At last, one devises a unified service investments. approach for efficiency metrics in order to bridge the gaps A word of advice: a control volume means either a between the physical and the economical realms. physical or logical reality subset bounded by our observation.
    [Show full text]
  • Three Pressure Retarded Osmosis (Pro) Processes
    THREE PRESSURE RETARDED OSMOSIS (PRO) PROCESSES Authors: Boris Liberman, Gal Greenberg, Vitaly Levitin, Tal Oz-Ari, Udi Tirosh Presenter: Dr. Boris Liberman CTO, VP Membrane Technology – IDE Technologies Ltd. – Israel [email protected] Abstract Pressure retarded osmosis (PRO) can be implemented on a number of water types, using different technologies and achieving various power outcomes. This paper presents the three most practical options: Option 1 - Seawater with river water, driving force 25 bar, power output 5-10 watt/m2 Option 2 - SWRO brine with wastewater, driving force 50 bar, power output 10-20 watt/m2 Option 3 - Dead Sea or salt lake with river water, driving force 250 bar, power output 50-100 watt/m2 Each of the above options requires a different PRO technology. Option 1 necessitates movement of huge water volumes with extremely low power losses. All water movement must be at seawater level. The pressure exchanger consumes 15 times less power than it does in RO technology. Pretreatment CAPEX and OPEX expenses are considerably less than those currently implemented by RO technology, while water quality has to be as good as that required from RO. Option 2 is the most economical and ready to use. This option uses already filtrated and pressurized brine from an SWRO plant. The main obstacle to the implementation of this option is finding a wastewater source with no cost. Option 3 implements natural exotic resources such as Dead Sea water with extremely high osmotic pressures. The PRO technology in this option requires membranes and pressure exchangers that are able to operate at extremely high pressures.
    [Show full text]
  • The Potential of Chemical-Osmotic Energy for Renewable Power Generation
    The potential of chemical-osmotic energy for renewable power generation Adel O. Sharif*, Ali. A. Merdaw, Mohammed. I. Sanduk, Sami. M. Al-Aibi, Zena Rahal Centre for Osmosis Research & Applications, Chemical & Process Engineering Department, University of Surrey, UK * Corresponding author. T:+44(0)1483686584; F: +44(0)1483686584 email: [email protected] Abstract: This paper presents a study on the potential of osmotic energy for power production. The study includes both pilot plant testing and theoretical modelling including cost estimation. A projected cost of 30 $/MWh of clean electricity could be achieved by using a Hydro-Osmotic Power (HOP) plant if a suitable membrane is used and the osmotic potential difference between the two solutions is greater than 25 bar; a condition that can be achieved in a number of ways. Results have shown that the membrane system account for 50% - 80% of the HOP plant cost depending on the osmotic pressure difference level. Thus, further development in membrane technology and identifying suitable membranes would have significant impact on the feasibility of the process and the route to market. The results have shown the strong dependency of the produeced power cost on the membrane permeability. The results have also shown that a substantial reduction in the membrane area requirment for a given power output can be acheived as the osmotic pressure differnece between the two solutions increases beyoned 50 bar. Keywords: Osmotic Power, Salinity Gradient, Osmotic Energy, Renewable Energy 1. Introduction The world’s searching for cost-effective renewable energy (RE) sources is continuous and has taken many dimensions and directions.
    [Show full text]
  • Exergy As a Measure of Resource Use in Life Cyclet Assessment and Other Sustainability Assessment Tools
    resources Article Exergy as a Measure of Resource Use in Life Cyclet Assessment and Other Sustainability Assessment Tools Goran Finnveden 1,*, Yevgeniya Arushanyan 1 and Miguel Brandão 1,2 1 Department of Sustainable Development, Environmental Science and Engineering (SEED), KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm SE 100-44, Sweden; [email protected] (Y.A.); [email protected] (M.B.) 2 Department of Bioeconomy and Systems Analysis, Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation, Czartoryskich 8 Str., 24-100 Pulawy, Poland * Correspondance: goran.fi[email protected]; Tel.: +46-8-790-73-18 Academic Editor: Mario Schmidt Received: 14 December 2015; Accepted: 12 June 2016; Published: 29 June 2016 Abstract: A thermodynamic approach based on exergy use has been suggested as a measure for the use of resources in Life Cycle Assessment and other sustainability assessment methods. It is a relevant approach since it can capture energy resources, as well as metal ores and other materials that have a chemical exergy expressed in the same units. The aim of this paper is to illustrate the use of the thermodynamic approach in case studies and to compare the results with other approaches, and thus contribute to the discussion of how to measure resource use. The two case studies are the recycling of ferrous waste and the production and use of a laptop. The results show that the different methods produce strikingly different results when applied to case studies, which indicates the need to further discuss methods for assessing resource use. The study also demonstrates the feasibility of the thermodynamic approach.
    [Show full text]
  • Sustainability Indicators for the Use of Resources—The Exergy Approach
    Sustainability 2012, 4, 1867-1878; doi:10.3390/su4081867 OPEN ACCESS sustainability ISSN 2071-1050 www.mdpi.com/journal/sustainability Article Sustainability Indicators for the Use of Resources—The Exergy Approach Christopher J. Koroneos 1,*, Evanthia A. Nanaki 2 and George A. Xydis 3 1 Unit of Environmental Science and Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 9 Heroon Polytechneiou Street, Zografou Campus, 15773 Athens, Greece 2 University of Western Macedonia, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Bakola and Sialvera, 50100 Kozani, Greece; E-Mail: [email protected] 3 Technical University of Denmark, Department of Electrical Engineering, Frederiksborgvej 399, P.O. Box 49, Building 776, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark; E-Mail: [email protected] * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: [email protected]; Tel.: +30-210-772-3085; Fax: +30-210-772-3285. Received: 17 July 2012; in revised form: 25 July 2012 / Accepted: 2 August 2012 / Published: 20 August 2012 Abstract: Global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions reached an all-time high in 2010, rising 45% in the past 20 years. The rise of peoples’ concerns regarding environmental problems such as global warming and waste management problem has led to a movement to convert the current mass-production, mass-consumption, and mass-disposal type economic society into a sustainable society. The Rio Conference on Environment and Development in 1992, and other similar environmental milestone activities and happenings, documented the need for better and more detailed knowledge and information about environmental conditions, trends, and impacts. New thinking and research with regard to indicator frameworks, methodologies, and actual indicators are also needed.
    [Show full text]
  • The Water-Energy Nexus: Challenges and Opportunities Overview
    U.S. Department of Energy The Water-Energy Nexus: Challenges and Opportunities JUNE 2014 THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY BLANK Table of Contents Foreword ................................................................................................................................................................... i Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................................................. iii Executive Summary.............................................................................................................................................. v Chapter 1. Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Background ................................................................................................................................................. 1 1.2 DOE’s Motivation and Role .................................................................................................................... 3 1.3 The DOE Approach ................................................................................................................................... 4 1.4 Opportunities ............................................................................................................................................. 4 References ..........................................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Improving Fuel Cell Durability and Reliability
    V.M.1 Improving Fuel Cell Durability and Reliability – Surface and interface phenomena related to surface Prabhakar Singh adsorption, interfacial compound formation, and Center for Clean Energy Engineering electron/ion generation and transport, electrodics, University of Connecticut (UConn) and electrochemistry. 44 Weaver Road, Unit 5233 Novel membranes, heterogeneous catalyst materials, Storrs, CT 06268-5233 and structures will be developed and validated through Phone: (860) 486-8379 experimentation. Collaborative research projects with Email: [email protected] industry will be developed to improve the performance DOE Managers stability and long-term reliability of advanced fuel cells and Dimitrios Papageorgopoulos other power generations systems. Phone: (202) 586-5463 Email: [email protected] Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 Objectives Reg Tyler Phone: (720) 356-1805 • Quantify the role of fuel impurities on degradation Email: [email protected] processes in advanced electrochemical energy conversion systems. Technical Advisor • Optimize novel cell and stack structural and functional Thomas Benjamin materials from a durability, cost, and performance Phone: (720) 356-1805 perspective. Email: [email protected] • Demonstrate and improve performance stability and Contract Number: DE-EE00003226 reliability through advanced materials and fabrication Project Start Date: August 1, 2010 processes. Project End Date: October 31, 2013 Technical Barriers This project addresses the following technical Overall Objectives barriers from the Fuel Cells section of the Fuel Cell Technologies Office Multi-Year Research, Development, and Overall objective of the research project is to develop Demonstration Plan: an in-depth understanding of the degradation processes in (A) Durability advanced electrochemical energy conversion systems. It is also the objective of the research project to transfer the (B) Cost technology to participating industries for implementation (C) Performance in manufacturing of cost-effective and reliable integrated systems.
    [Show full text]
  • Exergy Analysis As a Tool for Addressing Climate Change
    European Journal of Sustainable Development Research 2021, 5(2), em0148 e-ISSN: 2542-4742 https://www.ejosdr.com Research Article Exergy Analysis as a Tool for Addressing Climate Change Marc A. Rosen 1* 1 Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Oshawa, Ontario, L1G 0C5, CANADA *Corresponding Author: [email protected] Citation: Rosen, M. A. (2021). Exergy Analysis as a Tool for Addressing Climate Change. European Journal of Sustainable Development Research, 5(2), em0148. https://doi.org/10.21601/ejosdr/9346 ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Received: 1 Oct. 2020 Exergy is described as a tool for addressing climate change, in particular through identifying and explaining the Accepted: 3 Oct. 2020 benefits of sustainable energy, so the benefits can be appreciated by experts and non-experts alike and attained. Exergy can be used to understand climate change measures and to assess and improve energy systems. Exergy also can help better understand the benefits of utilizing sustainable energy by providing more useful and meaningful information than energy provides. Exergy clearly identifies efficiency improvements and reductions in wastes and environmental impacts attributable to sustainable energy. Exergy can also identify better than energy the environmental benefits and economics of energy technologies. Exergy should be applied by engineers and scientists, as well as decision and policy makers, involved in addressing climate change. Keywords: exergy, climate change, environment, ecology, energy impacts. Exergy can also identify better than energy ways to INTRODUCTION improve environmental benefits and economics. Consequently, many researchers suggest that the impact of The relationship between energy and economics, such as energy use on the environment, the achievement of increased the trade-offs between efficiency and cost, has almost always efficiency, and the economics of energy systems are best been important.
    [Show full text]
  • Emergence of Forward Osmosis and Pressure-Retarded Osmotic Processes for Drinking Water Treatment
    FWRJ Emergence of Forward Osmosis and Pressure-Retarded Osmotic Processes for Drinking Water Treatment Steven J. Duranceau Description of Emerging Processes from a solution of a lower concentration to a so - lution with a higher concentration. These three Steven J. Duranceau is associate professor of Approximately 97 percent of the Earth’s technologies (RO, FO, and PRO) are common environmental engineering in the civil, water takes the form of salt water in oceans, seas, in that they use semi-permeable membranes to environmental, and construction engineering and lakes. Because of a worldwide water short - separate dissolved solutes from water. The semi- department at the University of Central age, a need exists for alternative desalination permeable membrane acts as a barrier that al - Florida in Orlando. technologies that can produce inexpensive, reli - lows small molecules such as water to pass able, and sustainable sources of water for the through, while rejecting larger molecules like world’s growing population, as well as to meet salts, organics, and proteins, as well as viruses, its industrial and agricultural needs. Green en - bacteria, and other pathogenic material. Both solution on the permeate side of the mem - ergy is available wherever one finds a river that FO and PRO exploit the osmotic pressure dif - brane is the driving force in the FO process. flows into a sea, equivalent to the energy con - ference that develops when a semi-permeable The flux direction of the permeating water in tained in a 900-ft-high waterfall[1]. Desalina - membrane separates two solutions of different FO, PRO, and RO is demonstrated in Figure tion technologies, such as reverse osmosis (RO) concentrations.
    [Show full text]
  • Osmotic Power Plant High Efficiency Renewable Energy System D.Govarthan, R.Kathiresan, K.Eswaramoorthy*
    South Asian Journal of Engineering and Technology Vol.2, No.22 (2016) 112–117 ISSN No: 2454-9614 Osmotic Power Plant High Efficiency Renewable Energy System D.Govarthan, R.Kathiresan, K.Eswaramoorthy* Department of EEE, SASURIE College of Engineering, Vijayamangalam, Tiruppur, Tamilnadu, India. *Corresponding Author: K. Eswaramoorthy E-mail: [email protected] Received: 13/11/2015, Revised: 18/12/2015 and Accepted: 16/04/2016 Abstract The need of new energy sources has led to a number of alternatives. One of those alternatives is energy created by transportation of solutions, osmotic energy or salinity gradient energy. In the osmotic process two solutions with different salt-concentrations are involved (often freshwater and salt-water). A semi permeable membrane, which is an organic filter, separates the solutions. The membrane only lets small molecules like water- molecules pass. The water aspires to decrease the salt-concentration on the membrane side that contains more salt. The water therefore streams through the membrane and creates a pressure on the other side. This pressure can be utilized in order to gain energy, by using a turbine and a generator. 1. Introduction 1.1 Osmosis Principle Diffusion of molecules through a semi permeable membrane from a place of higher concentration to a place of lower concentration until the concentration on both sides is equal. Osmosis is a process by which water moves through a membrane which blocks other particles, which is used to purify water. For osmotic power it works in reverse, with osmosis drawing fresh water through the membrane to mix with salty water, thereby increasing its pressure which can be harnessed to drive electricity turbines.
    [Show full text]