Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

Water desalination using a temperature gradient

Robinson, John; Meehan, Joseph; Taqi, Ali; Binner, Eleanor; Tokay, Begum

Water desalination using a temperature gradient Thumbnail


Authors

John Robinson

Joseph Meehan

Ali Taqi

BEGUM PEISSEL BEGUM.TOKAY@NOTTINGHAM.AC.UK
Professor of Chemical Engineering



Abstract

A new concept for reverse osmosis is identified based on the use of a temperature gradient instead of pressure. When the temperature of the permeate-side of the membrane is higher than the feed-side then a significant driving force exists for water transport, which can overcome the osmotic pressure. The thermodynamics for this approach are developed within the paper, and as a result we have developed a single expression for driving force across a membrane for variable temperature, pressure and concentration. The thermodynamic predictions suggest for seawater a temperature difference of less than 1 o C is needed to overcome the osmotic pressure, and less than 3 o C to sustain a water flux equivalent to current reverse osmosis processes. Experimental investigation confirmed the temperature-dependence of water flux and the ability to carry out reverse osmosis at atmospheric pressure. The effect of temperature gradient and salinity on water flux was tested at ambient pressures and found to be in good agreement with the manufacturer-quoted permeability. The concept identified in this work has the potential to allow reverse osmosis to be carried out without the need for costly high pressure pumps and energy recovery systems, with energy requirements predicted to be lower than 2.0 kWh/m 3 .

Citation

Robinson, J., Meehan, J., Taqi, A., Binner, E., & Tokay, B. (2019). Water desalination using a temperature gradient. Desalination, 464, 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2019.04.013

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Apr 10, 2019
Online Publication Date Apr 23, 2019
Publication Date Aug 15, 2019
Deposit Date Apr 15, 2019
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Desalination
Print ISSN 0011-9164
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 464
Pages 1-7
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2019.04.013
Keywords Temperature; Reverse osmosis; Membrane; Low energy
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1799320
Publisher URL https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0011916419300840?via%3Dihub

Files




You might also like



Downloadable Citations