Grantee Research Project Results
Solar-Energy-Combined Desalination Systems
EPA Grant Number: SU840147Title: Solar-Energy-Combined Desalination Systems
Investigators: Kim, Seokjhin , McIlroy, Dave , Lampert, David , Aichele, Clint , Ritchie, Liesel
Current Investigators: Kim, Seokjhin , Lampert, David , McIlroy, Dave , Aichele, Clint , Ritchie, Liesel , Mahmodi, Diako , Austin, Aaron , Bias, Alex
Institution: Oklahoma State University
EPA Project Officer: Page, Angela
Project Period: November 2, 2020 through November 1, 2021
Project Amount: $25,000
RFA: P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet (2020) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: P3 Awards , P3 Challenge Area - Safe and Sustainable Water Resources
Description:
Increases in population and the associated demands for food, energy, and municipal drinking water stress once-abundant water resources. One such example is in the Western United States, where competition between agriculture, cities, energy and environmental flows for water resources is prevalent. This study aims to develop Solar-Energy-Combined Desalination Systems for small communities which often find it difficult to obtain the capital to construct improved water supplies. It is important to develop water supply networks, especially in small municipalities, rural areas, and tribal communities, and at the same time to improve the quality of marginal water that might be particularly useful during drought periods. The system would provide a sustainable water supply to many municipalities and industries in an energy-efficient way. The proposed project will enhance the sustainability of wastewater treatment and educate four students on the challenges associated with desalination and water supply issues through their participation in the design process. The study will also provide important educational benefits to the public and tribal stakeholders in Oklahoma.
Objective:
The team proposes to combine a thermal desalination system with a solar energy collector as an alternative to fossil fuels. The overall goal of the proposed research is to develop novel, energy-efficient solar-energy-combined membrane processes for treating ground water to levels suitable for reuse. The primary research objectives of the proposed investigation are to: (1) Design chemical pretreatment process (Lampert), (2) Develop solar evaporation and condensation system (Mcllroy), (3) Synthesize ceramic membranes for hydrocarbon and solvent treatment (Kim and Aichele), and (4) Investigate public attitudes toward water reuse (Ritchie). The first objective will be accomplished through designing a chemical pretreatment process to reduce suspended solids, bacterial contamination, and concentration of potential scale-forming components before solar evaporation treatment. The second objective will be performed by developing a high efficiency solar evaporator system that removes solids and
significantly reduces the salinity prior to the final membrane solvent treatment. The third objective will be developing novel controlled-pore membranes applied to synthetic water solutions and real wastewater. Objective four will focus on social dimensions of water reuse, including public risk perceptions and willingness to accept and adopt new technologies. Approaches to examining these issues will include interviews and survey research.
Expected Results:
A successful demonstration has the potential to increase water supplies and reduce operational costs, energy consumption, and environmental impacts of wastewater management. The funding will be used for the development and application of solar evaporation and tailored ceramic membranes in a more energy efficient manner. Along with the development of a novel process, the PI’s target level of performance is ~$1.34 per m3, which is lower than a reported cost of desalinated water by reverse osmosis, which is $1.83 per m3 for brackish water (10,000–35,000 mg/L).
The proposed project will develop an approach that minimizes the desalination energy inputs requirements for wastewater treatment, has no adverse environmental impact, and prevents contamination and pollution.
Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 2 publications for this projectJournal Articles:
Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 2 journal articles for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
solar evaporation, membrane treatment, chemical pretreatment process, energy efficiency, sustainable water management.Progress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.