Desempenho de um sistema de dessalinização via osmose inversa, em escala piloto, alimentado por painéis fotovoltaicos.

Abstract

In this work the performance of small-scaled reverse osmosis desaíination unit is studied using photovoltaic solar energy. This unit was developed in the Reference Laboratory of Desaíination of the Chemical Engineering Department of the Federal University of Campina Grande. The system was tested with several sodium chloride solutions from 1000 mg/L to 4000 mg/L and brackish water from welis at concentration of 2000 mg/L under pressures from 4 kgf/cm2 to 12 kgf/cm2 The measurement of voltage, electric current, permeate and concentrate flows, electric conductinty and pH ailowed to evaiue the performance of the following parameters; electric power, recovery and energy consumption. The lowest range of energy consumption, was obtained at 10 kgf/cm2 , which was 1.42 kWh/m3 to 2.3 kWh/m3. The system provided technical conditions to produce 0.2 m3 /h of dessalinated at reasonable cost of US$ 1.13/ m3.