High advanced open channel membrane desalination (disc tube module)

As in many regions it is no longer possible to satisfy the growing demands for water by conventional methods an increased production of potable water from saline waters is called for. One option with growing importance is the desalination of seawater with reverse osmosis using decentralised desalination plants with a fresh water capacity of few hundred to few thousand m³/d. Requested are plants that are easy to handle, able to be operated unattended under rough working conditions and require the lowest possible pretreatment. Reverse osmosis plants designed in accordance to the “plug and play” approach and equipped with the open channel disc tube module type DT using selected membranes can meet the requirements of this application niche of desalination technology. Technical details of the module and this plant concept as well as operating results are discussed.

Reverse osmosis has become an important instrument in the struggle to overcome water scarcity. But the increasing demand can not be satisfied only with the reverse osmosis plants with production capacities in the range of 5,000 to 20,000 or more m³/d per unit. One option with growing importance is the desalination of seawater using decentralised desalination plants with a fresh water production capacity of few hundred or few thousand m³/d. This application niche of desalination technology requires plants that are easy to handle, need low pretreatment, are designed for unattended operation and can be operated remote controlled. Reverse osmosis plants equipped with the disc tube module DT manufactured in accordance to the “plug and play” concept meet these requirements. The combination of open channel construction and narrow gap technology realized in this module allows in connection with a special plant design for an economic operation with high availability. As no chemicals are used for the pretreatment, this kind of desalination technology can be considered to be in accordance with guidelines for a sustainable environmentally friendly development.