Membrane technologies for seawater desalination and brackish water treatment

摘要: Abstract Membrane technology currently dominates the industry of desalination and brackish water treatment. Seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) systems account for more than 50% global capacity (about 70 million m 3 /day) plants. This success history began almost 50 years ago with discovery asymmetric cellulose acetate RO membranes by Loeb Sourajan; recently, impressive development in membrane materials, modules, process design has resulted overall energy consumption 3–5 kWh/m desalted water, much less required conventional thermal processes (10–15 kWh/m ). chapter aims to provide a general overview operations use seawater potable production. After introducing problem shortage providing classification main technologies, focuses on principles RO, polymeric materials modules use, plant strategies including pretreatment step, input related recovery devices, potentialities offered novel salinity gradient power technologies (with an emphasis pressure-retarded electrodialysis), environmental problems brine disposal, distillation as viable option logic zero liquid discharge, economics desalination.