IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v15y2023i19p14189-d1247592.html

Feasibility Study of a Reverse Osmosis Desalination Unit Powered by Photovoltaic Panels for a Sustainable Water Supply in Algeria

Author

Listed:
  • Zahia Tigrine

    (Unité de Développement des Equipements Solaires (UDES), Centre de Développement des Energies Renouvelables (CDER), Route Nationale N°11, Bou-Ismail 42415, Algeria)

  • Hanene Aburideh

    (Unité de Développement des Equipements Solaires (UDES), Centre de Développement des Energies Renouvelables (CDER), Route Nationale N°11, Bou-Ismail 42415, Algeria)

  • Djamila Zioui

    (Unité de Développement des Equipements Solaires (UDES), Centre de Développement des Energies Renouvelables (CDER), Route Nationale N°11, Bou-Ismail 42415, Algeria)

  • Sarra Hout

    (Unité de Développement des Equipements Solaires (UDES), Centre de Développement des Energies Renouvelables (CDER), Route Nationale N°11, Bou-Ismail 42415, Algeria)

  • Naima Sahraoui

    (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Process Engineering, University of Science and Technology Houari Boumediene (USTHB), Algiers 16111, Algeria)

  • Yasmine Benchoubane

    (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Process Engineering, University of Science and Technology Houari Boumediene (USTHB), Algiers 16111, Algeria)

  • Amina Izem

    (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Process Engineering, University of Science and Technology Houari Boumediene (USTHB), Algiers 16111, Algeria)

  • Djilali Tassalit

    (Unité de Développement des Equipements Solaires (UDES), Centre de Développement des Energies Renouvelables (CDER), Route Nationale N°11, Bou-Ismail 42415, Algeria)

  • Fatma Zohra Yahiaoui

    (Unité de Développement des Equipements Solaires (UDES), Centre de Développement des Energies Renouvelables (CDER), Route Nationale N°11, Bou-Ismail 42415, Algeria)

  • Mohamed Khateb

    (Usine de Dessalement d’Eau de Mer, Fouka 42000, Algeria)

  • Nadjib Drouiche

    (Centre de Recherche en Technologie Semi-Conducteurs pour l’Energétique, Division CCPM, N2, Bd Dr. Frantz Fanon, Algiers 16038, Algeria
    Agence Nationale de Valorisation des Résultats de la Recherche et du Développement Téchnologique, 11 Chemin Doudou Mokhtar, Ben Aknoun, Algiers 16028, Algeria)

  • Seif El Islam Lebouachera

    (Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-Chimie pour l’Environnement et les Matériaux, IPREM, UMR 5254, CNRS Université de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour/E2S, 2 Avenue P. Angot, Technopôle Hélioparc, 64000 Pau, France
    Université de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour, E2S UPPA, CNRS, TotalEnergies, LFCR, Allée du Parc Montaury, 64600 Anglet, France)

Abstract

In recent years, reverse osmosis water desalination has developed rapidly and has become the most competitive and widely used technology in the world. The number of desalination plants is increasing rapidly as freshwater needs increase. Various membrane technologies have been developed and improved, including nanofiltration (NF) and reverse osmosis (RO), whose desalination costs have been relatively reduced. Therefore, this work proposes an experimental study for a small desalination unit based on RO generated by renewable energy, which is mainly suitable for arid regions or desert areas that do not have electricity and water and can be applied for emergency treatment to meet strong freshwater resource needs. In this study, to meet the drinking water demand, a reverse osmosis desalination system is designed and evaluated in order to improve and optimize its operation. This system has a daily capacity of 2 m 3 . We used brackish groundwater, which has been characterized as reference water, to produce synthetic water for different salinities until seawater. The analysis is based on data obtained from experiments carried out in the standalone RO pilot designed for the production of fresh water. For this purpose, we conducted relevant experiments to examine the influence of applied pressure, salt concentration and temperature on the RO membrane performance. The effects of different factors that affect the energy consumption in the RO desalination process were analyzed, and those with significant influence were explored. The effectiveness of RO desalination coupled with a photovoltaic (PV) energy system is shown. We found the recovery rate for system operation to be 32%. An optimization study is presented for the operation of an autonomous RO desalination system powered by photovoltaic panels. The energy produced by the PV system was used to feed two pumps forthe production of drinking waterwithanRO membrane, under the conditions of the town of Bou-Ismail. As results, a 3 kWp PV system was installed based on the energy demand. The design data have shown that a 3 kWp PV system can power a 1.8 W RO load given the Bou-Ismail climate. Energy consumption in the case study under Bou-Ismail weather conditions were analyzed. The desalination of brackish water at a TDS value of 5 g/L requires an energy of about 1.5 kWh/m 3 . Using seawater at a TDS value of 35 g/L, this value increases to 5.6 kWh/m 3 . The results showed that the optimal recovery rate for system operation was determined to be 32% for a feedwater salinity of 35 g/L, and 80% for a feedwater salinity of 1 g/L.

Suggested Citation

  • Zahia Tigrine & Hanene Aburideh & Djamila Zioui & Sarra Hout & Naima Sahraoui & Yasmine Benchoubane & Amina Izem & Djilali Tassalit & Fatma Zohra Yahiaoui & Mohamed Khateb & Nadjib Drouiche & Seif El , 2023. "Feasibility Study of a Reverse Osmosis Desalination Unit Powered by Photovoltaic Panels for a Sustainable Water Supply in Algeria," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-23, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:19:p:14189-:d:1247592
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/19/14189/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/19/14189/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kim, Jong Suk & Chen, Jun & Garcia, Humberto E., 2016. "Modeling, control, and dynamic performance analysis of a reverse osmosis desalination plant integrated within hybrid energy systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 52-66.
    2. Nadjib Drouiche & Noreddine Ghaffour & Mohamed Naceur & Hacene Mahmoudi & Tarik Ouslimane, 2011. "Reasons for the Fast Growing Seawater Desalination Capacity in Algeria," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 25(11), pages 2743-2754, September.
    3. Youcef Himri & Shafiqur Rehman & Ali Mostafaeipour & Saliha Himri & Adel Mellit & Mustapha Merzouk & Nachida Kasbadji Merzouk, 2022. "Overview of the Role of Energy Resources in Algeria’s Energy Transition," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-26, June.
    4. Li, Sheying & Cai, Yang-Hui & Schäfer, Andrea I. & Richards, Bryce S., 2019. "Renewable energy powered membrane technology: A review of the reliability of photovoltaic-powered membrane system components for brackish water desalination," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 253(C), pages 1-1.
    5. Mahmoudi, Hacene & Spahis, Nawel & Goosen, Mattheus F. & Ghaffour, Noreddine & Drouiche, Nadjib & Ouagued, Abdellah, 2010. "Application of geothermal energy for heating and fresh water production in a brackish water greenhouse desalination unit: A case study from Algeria," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 14(1), pages 512-517, January.
    6. Himri, Y. & Malik, Arif S. & Boudghene Stambouli, A. & Himri, S. & Draoui, B., 2009. "Review and use of the Algerian renewable energy for sustainable development," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 13(6-7), pages 1584-1591, August.
    7. Mahmoudi, Hacene & Abdellah, Ouagued & Ghaffour, Noreddine, 2009. "Capacity building strategies and policy for desalination using renewable energies in Algeria," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 13(4), pages 921-926, May.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Ogunniyi, Emmanuel & Richards, Bryce S., 2024. "Renewable energy powered membrane technology: Power control management for enhanced photovoltaic-membrane system performance across multiple solar days," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 371(C).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Bundschuh, Jochen & Ghaffour, Noreddine & Mahmoudi, Hacene & Goosen, Mattheus & Mushtaq, Shahbaz & Hoinkis, Jan, 2015. "Low-cost low-enthalpy geothermal heat for freshwater production: Innovative applications using thermal desalination processes," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 43(C), pages 196-206.
    2. Ghaffour, N. & Reddy, V.K. & Abu-Arabi, M., 2011. "Technology development and application of solar energy in desalination: MEDRC contribution," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(9), pages 4410-4415.
    3. Amarouche, Khalid & Akpınar, Adem & Bachari, Nour El Islam & Houma, Fouzia, 2020. "Wave energy resource assessment along the Algerian coast based on 39-year wave hindcast," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 153(C), pages 840-860.
    4. Mattheus Goosen & Hacene Mahmoudi & Noreddine Ghaffour, 2010. "Water Desalination Using Geothermal Energy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 3(8), pages 1-20, August.
    5. Stambouli, A. Boudghene & Khiat, Z. & Flazi, S. & Kitamura, Y., 2012. "A review on the renewable energy development in Algeria: Current perspective, energy scenario and sustainability issues," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 16(7), pages 4445-4460.
    6. Youcef Himri & Shafiqur Rehman & Ali Mostafaeipour & Saliha Himri & Adel Mellit & Mustapha Merzouk & Nachida Kasbadji Merzouk, 2022. "Overview of the Role of Energy Resources in Algeria’s Energy Transition," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-26, June.
    7. Younes Zahraoui & Mohammed Reyasudin Basir Khan & Ibrahim AlHamrouni & Saad Mekhilef & Mahrous Ahmed, 2021. "Current Status, Scenario, and Prospective of Renewable Energy in Algeria: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-28, April.
    8. Sagar Shelare & Ravinder Kumar & Trupti Gajbhiye & Sumit Kanchan, 2023. "Role of Geothermal Energy in Sustainable Water Desalination—A Review on Current Status, Parameters, and Challenges," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-22, March.
    9. Atalay, Yasemin & Kalfagianni, Agni & Pattberg, Philipp, 2017. "Renewable energy support mechanisms in the Gulf Cooperation Council states: Analyzing the feasibility of feed-in tariffs and auction mechanisms," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 72(C), pages 723-733.
    10. Mahmoudi, Hacene & Spahis, Nawel & Abdul-Wahab, Sabah A. & Sablani, Shyam S. & Goosen, Mattheus F.A., 2010. "Improving the performance of a Seawater Greenhouse desalination system by assessment of simulation models for different condensers," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 14(8), pages 2182-2188, October.
    11. Nadjib Drouiche & Noreddine Ghaffour & Mohamed Naceur & Hacene Mahmoudi & Tarik Ouslimane, 2011. "Reasons for the Fast Growing Seawater Desalination Capacity in Algeria," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 25(11), pages 2743-2754, September.
    12. Haddad, Brahim & Liazid, Abdelkrim & Ferreira, Paula, 2017. "A multi-criteria approach to rank renewables for the Algerian electricity system," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 462-472.
    13. Ali-Toudert, Fazia & Weidhaus, Juliane, 2017. "Numerical assessment and optimization of a low-energy residential building for Mediterranean and Saharan climates using a pilot project in Algeria," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 101(C), pages 327-346.
    14. Trumpy, Eugenio & Bertani, Ruggero & Manzella, Adele & Sander, Marietta, 2015. "The web-oriented framework of the world geothermal production database: A business intelligence platform for wide data distribution and analysis," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 379-389.
    15. Ansong, Martin & Ogunniyi, Emmanuel O. & Jiménez, Blanca Pérez & Richards, Bryce S., 2025. "Renewable energy powered membrane technology: Integration of solar irradiance forecasting for predictive control of photovoltaic-powered brackish water desalination system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 401(PA).
    16. Tsikalakis, Antonis & Tomtsi, T. & Hatziargyriou, N.D. & Poullikkas, A. & Malamatenios, Ch. & Giakoumelos, E. & Jaouad, O. Cherkaoui & Chenak, A. & Fayek, A. & Matar, T. & Yasin, A., 2011. "Review of best practices of solar electricity resources applications in selected Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(6), pages 2838-2849, August.
    17. Esmaeil Ahmadi & Benjamin McLellan & Behnam Mohammadi-Ivatloo & Tetsuo Tezuka, 2020. "The Role of Renewable Energy Resources in Sustainability of Water Desalination as a Potential Fresh-Water Source: An Updated Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(13), pages 1-31, June.
    18. Suberu, Mohammed Yekini & Mustafa, Mohd Wazir & Bashir, Nouruddeen & Muhamad, Nor Asiah & Mokhtar, Ahmad Safawi, 2013. "Power sector renewable energy integration for expanding access to electricity in sub-Saharan Africa," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 25(C), pages 630-642.
    19. Tebibel, Hammou & Labed, Sifeddine, 2013. "Performance results and analysis of self-regulated PV system in Algerian Sahara," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 691-700.
    20. Al-Ismaili, Abdulrahim M. & Jayasuriya, Hemanatha, 2016. "Seawater greenhouse in Oman: A sustainable technique for freshwater conservation and production," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 653-664.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:19:p:14189-:d:1247592. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.