Laboratory set-up for education and research on automation of reverse osmosis plants employing a sustainable energy source

We report on preliminary experience of a laboratory-size reverse osmosis desalination plant employing a photovoltaic energy source. The plant is intended for educational and research purposes. The issues investigated are briefly discussed and preliminary operation measurement data are given. Further developments towards multiple energy sources, optimized plant configuration and potential applications are also mentioned. The plant was built in the framework of a cooperative project between the Automation Laboratory at the University of Mannheim (Germany), University of Applied Sciences (Zurich, Switzerland) and the Middle East Center of Energy and Environment Technology at the Arab Academy of Science and Technology (Alexandria, Egypt). The project was financially supported by the SwissContact Agency (Switzerland).

In this paper we do not introduce an innovative concept, but rather report on initial efforts to introduce to education and research in Egypt system design and control of desalination systems employing renewable energy. A prototypical RO plant operated by PV was installed at the AAST in Egypt in the framework of a cooperation project with PROAUT and UASZ supported by SwissContact. Preliminary operation experience shows that skilled personnel are required to operate and maintain such a class of desalination systems. We briefly discussed some of the research issues that can be investigated using this laboratory, extending from modeling to practical operation under variable meteorological conditions. Many of these issues are challenging and require further investment both in money and time. In fact, some work is still to be done until the laboratory is made suitable for serious research activities, especially in the area of control. Potential applications include, among others, supplying fresh water for expeditions, camps and small touristic sites.