DESALINATION TECHNOLOGY• THERMAL• MEMBRANE• SOLAR• TECHNICAL• ECONOMICS• ENVIRONMENTAL• POLITICAL

• Membrane separation processes (UF and RO)– Superior treatment– Relatively modest capital and operating costs

• Major obstacles– Permeate flux decline

• Concentration polarization• Fouling

– Temperature effects not well understood

PERFORMANCE OF SPIRAL WOUND MEMBRANES

permeate

cp

Jv

membrane

boundary layer

soluteJs

cb

feed flow

convective flow

back diffusion

soluteirreversible bound layer

reversible gel layer

cw

{

Figure 1

Concentration Polarization

Figure 2

i = ni = n-1

i = 2

Jo(t)-decrease in pure water

i = 1

permeability due to fouling

Ja1

Ja2

J(tp)- flux decline due to concentration polarization

tptcpermeation cleaning

membrane life-time -tt

Jo

J

Time

Solv

ent f

lux

acro

ss m

embr

ane

Flux Decline Due to Fouling

HUMIDIFICATION/ DEHUMIDIFICATION

PROCESSES

SEAWATER GREENHOUSE

• FRESH WATER FROM SEA AND BRACKISH WATER

• CROP PRODUCTION• COOL HOUSE• ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY

Research Approach

AREAS FOR COLLABORATION

• Student Training• Demonstration Seawater Greenhouse• Seawater Greenhouse Condenser• USDA/USDI• RO membrane fouling• Applied/Fundamental/Social/

Environmental