Small-scale reverse osmosis brackish water desalting system combined with greenhouse application for use in remote arid communities

Abstract

Thermal distillation and reverse osmosis (RO) membrane filtration are the most widely used water desalination technologies in the world. Thermal systems are generally associated with high consumption of energy and only efficient for large scale plants. RO systems are expensive but are widely used due to their high total dissolved solids (TDS) reduction capacity and good recovery rate. Energy consumption in RO systems varies almost linearly with the amount of TDS. In remote arid and semi-arid regions where grid electricity is not available, small diesel generator/battery-operated (constant flow) or solar-powered (variable flow) RO systems for brackish water desalting are attractive options. Safe and economic disposal of salt concentrate from the RO system is a troublesome issue. Solar-powered RO combined with a greenhouse application presents a sustainable environmental system. Evaporative cooling pads are widely used for greenhouse cooling in many parts of the world. Fresh water is used in the cooling pad...