Batch reverse osmosis (BRO)-adsorption desalination (AD) hybrid system for multipurpose desalination and minimal liquid discharge
Kiho Park, Ibrahim Albaik, P.A. Davies, Raya Al‐Dadah, Saad Mahmoud, Mohamed A. Ismail, Mohammed K. Al Mesfer
Abstract
Brine disposal and energy consumption are the two most important challenges for desalination. In this study, a new hybrid desalination process integrating batch reverse osmosis (BRO) and adsorption desalination (AD) is proposed for high recovery and energy efficiency. Hybrid BRO-AD produces distilled water and drinking water simultaneously. It also provides cooling. Simulation results reveal high recovery of 96.0 % and 64.8 %, low specific electrical energy consumption of 0.536 and 2.089 kWh/m3, specific thermal energy consumption of 182.3 and 312.2 kWh/m3, with cooling power generation of 302.5 and 139.5 kW achieved in brackish water and seawater desalination, respectively. The thermal energy consumption can be supplied by low-grade waste heat. The effects of feed concentrations in the ranges of 1–8 g/L (for brackish water) and 30–44 g/L (for seawater) and feed temperature of 25–35 °C are also investigated. The performance of the BRO-AD is compared against non-hybrid BRO and AD systems. The study shows that the BRO-AD hybrid achieves higher recovery than BRO, while reducing the large amounts of adsorbent material needed by AD. With its versatile characteristics, the BRO-AD hybrid system can be considered a breakthrough step in minimal/zero liquid discharge.