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Title Chemical and Energy Recovery Alternatives in SWRO Desalination through Electro-Membrane Technologies
ID_Doc 9964
Authors Herrero-Gonzalez, M; Ibañez, R
Title Chemical and Energy Recovery Alternatives in SWRO Desalination through Electro-Membrane Technologies
Year 2021
Published Applied Sciences-Basel, 11.0, 17
DOI 10.3390/app11178100
Abstract Electro-membrane technologies are versatile processes that could contribute towards more sustainable seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) desalination in both freshwater production and brine management, facilitating the recovery of materials and energy and driving the introduction of the circular economy paradigm in the desalination industry. Besides the potential possibilities, the implementation of electro-membrane technologies remains a challenge. The aim of this work is to present and evaluate different alternatives for harvesting renewable energy and the recovery of chemicals on an SWRO facility by means of electro-membrane technology. Acid and base self-supply by means of electrodialysis with bipolar membranes is considered, together with salinity gradient energy harvesting by means of reverse electrodialysis and pH gradient energy by means of reverse electrodialysis with bipolar membranes. The potential benefits of the proposed alternatives rely on environmental impact reduction is three-fold: (a) water bodies protection, as direct brine discharge is avoided, (b) improvements in the climate change indicator, as the recovery of renewable energy reduces the indirect emissions related to energy production, and (c) reduction of raw material consumption, as the main chemicals used in the facility are produced in-situ. Moreover, further development towards an increase in their technology readiness level (TRL) and cost reduction are the main challenges to face.
Author Keywords brines; renewable energy; energy recovery; chemical recovery; electrodialysis; electro-membrane; desalination; process integration
Index Keywords Index Keywords
Document Type Other
Open Access Open Access
Source Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED)
EID WOS:000694097200001
WoS Category Chemistry, Multidisciplinary; Engineering, Multidisciplinary; Materials Science, Multidisciplinary; Physics, Applied
Research Area Chemistry; Engineering; Materials Science; Physics
PDF https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/17/8100/pdf?version=1630491307
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