Desalination
What is desalination?
Desalination is a water treatment process which produces pure water from water sources containing high concentrations of dissolved salts and minerals. These water sources can include brackish water, seawater, rivers and streams, wastewater, or industrial process waters. In the case of ocean water or seawater, desalination most often occurs to produce potable water safe for drinking or irrigation. Seawater desalination has the ability to produce large amounts of water, enough to sustain entire populations.
Desalination methods
There are multiple methods of desalination, with many methods focusing on distillation in order to leave the salt and minerals behind. These methods generally involve heating the water in order for evaporation to occur, then re-condensating the water vapor, leaving behind the unwanted materials.
At RODI Systems, however, we focus on reverse osmosis (RO), a pressure-driven membrane process and one of the leading forms of desalination. The RO desalination method uses pressure to force water permeation through semipermeable reverse osmosis membranes, leaving salt from the water behind.
At RODI Systems, however, we focus on reverse osmosis (RO), a pressure-driven membrane process and one of the leading forms of desalination. The RO desalination method uses pressure to force water permeation through semipermeable reverse osmosis membranes, leaving salt from the water behind.
How does desalination by reverse osmosis work?
Desalination by reverse osmosis works by pushing pure water through the semipermeable membranes using a high pressure pump. The membrane rejects the dissolved solids (salts) in the feed water. Therefore, two streams exit the RO system: one is pure water and the other is a concentrate with a higher salt concentration than the original feed water. The process can be broken down into three key processes:
- Pretreatment
- Reverse osmosis
- Post-treatment
While reverse osmosis has been widely used since the 1970s, RODI uses advanced desalination technology in all of our containerized desalination systems, with over 20 years of experience designing and fabricating high-quality desalination systems.
Our desalination systems utilize the most advanced RO membrane technology for superior salt rejection and low energy consumption. Additional energy savings are also gained through the use of effective energy recovery units to reclaim the energy from the high pressure brine as it leaves the system. Finally, all of RODI’s desalination systems are equipped with the most effective pretreatment technologies (such as ceramic microfiltration) to ensure long membrane life and extended membrane cleaning cycles.
Our desalination systems utilize the most advanced RO membrane technology for superior salt rejection and low energy consumption. Additional energy savings are also gained through the use of effective energy recovery units to reclaim the energy from the high pressure brine as it leaves the system. Finally, all of RODI’s desalination systems are equipped with the most effective pretreatment technologies (such as ceramic microfiltration) to ensure long membrane life and extended membrane cleaning cycles.
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How do portable desalination systems work?
Portable, containerized desalination systems work by securing all the system components in a self-contained, ocean-worthy shipping container. These containerized units are designed to treat virtually any natural water supply in even the most remote locations, and are easy to transport, install, operate, and maintain. With a minimum of major moving parts, containerized desalination systems are designed to be simple, functional, and durable.
Portable desalination systems feature all of the technology and infrastructure used in standard RO desalination in an energy-efficient and portable design. With a minimal amount of infrastructure and no building required, portable desalination systems are an ideal choice for remote locations, emergency relief, or even hotels, resorts, and vacation homes.
Portable desalination systems feature all of the technology and infrastructure used in standard RO desalination in an energy-efficient and portable design. With a minimal amount of infrastructure and no building required, portable desalination systems are an ideal choice for remote locations, emergency relief, or even hotels, resorts, and vacation homes.
View our desalination systems >
How much does desalination cost?
The cost of desalination varies depending upon a number of factors such as the size of the desalination plant, location of the plant, salinity and temperature of the feed water, source of the feed water (since this can determine the amount of pretreatment needed), cost of financing, and power cost. Each desalination project must be evaluated for cost based upon the unique characteristics of the project.
Power cost is the most significant factor in determining the cost for desalination. For this reason, it is important to reduce the amount of energy necessary to operate the desalination plant. Many desalination plant manufacturers will list the power necessary for operating the plant (often as kWh per cubic meter of water produced), however it’s very important to note that the numbers quoted by these manufacturers are typically the power required only for the reverse osmosis portion of the plant. In practical terms, it’s necessary to evaluate the power required for the entire plant including pretreatment, post-treatment, and the power required to move the to and from the plant.
New advancements in solar technology have allowed for the evolution of solar-powered desalination systems. These systems draw the necessary operational energy directly from the sun, making these desalination systems cost-efficient and ideal for remote locations with limited power access.
Contact us today to get a custom quote for your solar desalination system.
New advancements in solar technology have allowed for the evolution of solar-powered desalination systems. These systems draw the necessary operational energy directly from the sun, making these desalination systems cost-efficient and ideal for remote locations with limited power access.
Contact us today to get a custom quote for your solar desalination system.
What effect does desalination have on the environment?
Desalination water systems produce a by-product concentrate when the salt, minerals, and contaminants are separated from the water. This by-product concentrate contains the same dissolved materials that are present in the original feed water but at a higher concentration.
Depending upon the type of desalination system, the by-product concentrate is commonly disposed of through wastewater treatment plant discharge, surface water discharge (including discharge to the sea for seawater plants), irrigation, deep well injection, evaporation ponds, or zero liquid discharge thermal processes.
Careful monitoring of the disposal processes as well as required environmental impact assessments evaluate the following for each desalination project:
Depending upon the type of desalination system, the by-product concentrate is commonly disposed of through wastewater treatment plant discharge, surface water discharge (including discharge to the sea for seawater plants), irrigation, deep well injection, evaporation ponds, or zero liquid discharge thermal processes.
Careful monitoring of the disposal processes as well as required environmental impact assessments evaluate the following for each desalination project:
- Potential adverse effect on land use and seashores
- Impact on the aquifer
- Impact on marine environment
- Impact of noise
- Intensive use of energy
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Is a portable desalination system right for you?
At RODI Systems, we work with industries throughout the world to bring clean water to even the most remote areas. Our portable, containerized desalination systems are perfect for a number of industrial applications, including oil and gas production, offshore facilities, emergency relief efforts, hotels, resorts, and vacation homes, work camps, and more.
Our portable desalination systems are shipped around the world, including the United States, Morocco, Turkey, Mexico, Nigeria, Argentina, the Caribbean, and North Africa.
Learn more about our desalination systems and contact us to request a quote for your project today.
Our portable desalination systems are shipped around the world, including the United States, Morocco, Turkey, Mexico, Nigeria, Argentina, the Caribbean, and North Africa.
Learn more about our desalination systems and contact us to request a quote for your project today.
