Reverse osmosis for Yuma desalting plant

Abstract

Reverse Osmosis is one of the two membrane desalination processes selected for the proposed Yuma Desalting Plant which is the prime feature of the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Project (1) being implemented by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation (BUREC). Electrodialysis is the other potential membrane desalination process. At present, the BUREC is evaluating bids for the membrane desalting equipment from various manufacturers. For reverse osmosis (RO), both spiral-wound (SW) and hollow-fine-fiber (HFF) membrane cartridges are being considered. The BUREC has announced its intentions to award two to three contracts based on best overall cost. Hydranautics is one of the bidders for the membrane desalting equipment. The Hydranautics proposal utilizes dry-type, spiral-wound blend cellulose acetate cartridges manufactured by Hydranautics' associate company, Desalination Systems, Inc. The purpose of this paper is to present information on the Hydranautics RO test unit at Yuma Desalting Test Facility (YDTF) along with test data. The paper also attempts to show certain cost parameters in relation to the test results as incorporated for the design of the proposed membrane desalting equipment.