OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this course is to provide students with the lastest knowledge of the different existing technologies involving the use of renovable energies to drive desalination.

MATERIALS

A carefully selected material has been elaborated from specific documents of the partners to be offered in a friendly use format.

CONTENTS

The contents of the course are the most relevant topics related to renewable energies and desalination.

The course is divided into ten chapters:

1. Basic concepts on Desalination and Renewable Energies. This chapter presents a basic introduction to the main desalination concepts and technologies. Questions like “What is desalination?”, “Which are the processes to obtain fresh water?” are answered in the chapter. It also includes lessons with the principal ideas of the renewable energies: potentials, types and basic notions of operation.

2. Desalination I. Membrane processes (EDR, RO). This chapter is focused on the main membrane desalination proceses: electrodyalisis reversible and reverse osmosis. The basic theory for both technologies is presented and the technical operation of the processes is described. Specific information is given concerning pre-treatment, post-treatment and maintenance.

3. Desalination II. Distillation Processes (MED, MSF, H/D, MD).  This chapter is focused on the main distillation processes: Multi-Effect Distillation, Multi Stage Flash, humidification – dehumidification and membrane distillation. The chapter is divided into two main parts: large scale (MED, MSF) and small scale (H/D, MD) systems. The main theory and technical description of the components and the operation of the systems are given for both scales.

4. Solar thermal energy and MED.  This chapter is dedicated to the combination of solar thermal energy and small distillation systems. The theory is based on using the solar heat as the energy source for a distillation unit. The chapter describes the energy system and the desalination system. It includes a short explanation of the components, an introduction to the design and an example of operating combined system.

5. Solar thermal energy coupled with H/D or MD.  This chapter is dedicated to the combination of solar thermal energy and small distillation systems. The theory is based on using the solar heat as the energy source for a distillation unit. The chapter describes the energy system and the desalination system. It includes a short explanation of the components, an introduction to the design and an example of operating combined system.

6. Solar photovoltaic energy powered RO systems.  This chapter is dedicated to the combination of wind energy and reverse osmosis plants. The theory is based on using the electricity from a wind energy system as the energy source for a RO unit. The chapter describes the energy system and the desalination system. It includes a short explanation of the components, an introduction to the application to desalination and examples of operating combined systems. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

7. Wind energy powered RO systems. This chapter is dedicated to the combination of wind energy and reverse osmosis plants. The theory is based on using the electricity from a wind energy system as the energy source for a RO unit. The chapter describes the energy system and the desalination system. It includes a short explanation of the components, an introduction to the application to desalination and examples of operating combined systems.  ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

8. Other technologies.  This chapter is dedicated to other combinations of a RE resource and desalination plants. Despite there are several initiatives, a selection has been made to the most promising options. The described concepts are geothermal desalination, wave powered desalination, solar organic Rankine cycle coupled to reverse osmosis units, and solar ponds for distillation processes.                                         ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

9. Non-technical aspects This chapter deals with all the complementary aspects to be taken into account: economic, environmental, social, political and legal issues. The chapter presents information about the strategies to overcome the barriers and gives recommendations to minimize the cost per cubic meter of produced water. The main ideas about environmental and the rest of aspects are presented too.                                                   ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

10. Practical case The last chapter pretends to be a summary of the course. The objective is to offer the student the opportunity of knowing the main concepts of the design of a RE desalination system by the use of a spreadsheet file.