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The Applied Electrochemistry and Electrocatalysis Research Group at the University of Alicante has developed an Stand-alone system for the desalination and disinfection of water by Electrodialysis (ED) and the necessary water pre- and post-conditioning steps. The developed system is sustainable and environmentally-friendly being directly powered by a photovoltaic solar plant without using battery racks.
This new system substantially decreases both the investment and maintenance costs by eliminating the batteries. Also, it can be adjusted to be used in water from very different sources like seawater, brackish water wells, wastewater treatment plants, industrial processes water, etc. being of particular interest for remote areas isolated from the electric grid.
The Research Group has a demonstration Pilot Plant with the capacity to produce up to 1m3 of drinking water per day. The Group is looking for companies interested in the commercial exploitation of this technology through licensing agreements and/or technical cooperation.
New and innovative aspects and main advantages of the technology
The new system:
Specifications
The Applied Electrochemistry and Electrocatalysis Research Group at the University of Alicante has developed an Stand-alone system for the desalination and disinfection of water by Electrodialysis (ED) and the necessary water pre- and post-conditioning steps, directly powered by a photovoltaic solar plant (or other discontinuous electrical power source) without using battery racks.
In general, the system consists of a unit of desalination by electrodialysis and a water disinfection unit composed by:
The characteristics of the stages of pre- and post-conditioning of the water depend on: i) the origin and physicochemical characteristics of these waters (brackish water wells, seawater, sewage or industrial wastewater treatment plants or others). Therefore, these stages may incorporate filtration (micro, ultrafiltration, etc.) and disinfection techniques (electrochemical, reagents addition, UV, etc.).
The system performs the desalting treatment by electrodialysis. Desalination can be carried out for any type of electrodialysis: batch with recirculation or continuous modes of operation, cascade, electrodialysis reversal or others. Also, the size of the electrodializer can be adapted according with the required needs.
Figure 1. General scheme of the system
The power supply subsystem comprises a field of photovoltaic solar panels as discontinuous energy source connected to a DC/DC converter. The latter applies the appropriate strategies of control of the maximum power point tracking (MPPT), so that it distributes the power among the loads of the output lines defined for the system as needed.
The developed system has several subsystems that require electric power with different voltage/current characteristics. However, during the treatment process not all the subsystems that require energy operate simultaneously nor have to do it at full power. Therefore, the system allows the implementation of operating strategies to reduce the overall requirements of electric power and adapt them to the amount of energy available at all times.
The system is particularly useful if it is isolated from the power grid. However, the system is compatible with a mixed power, so that it may combine the use of solar power with a conventional power grid when the discontinuous power source is insufficient (eg : cloudy days and nights) or to supply only certain subsystems.
From the point of view of its application, the system allows the desalination of water coming from different sources such as seawater, brackish well water, sewage or industrial wastewater treatment plants or others.
The system is highly flexible, so that its final configuration strongly depends on the final application of the treated water and the associated costs; which will determine both, the equipment selected and the most suitable configuration.
Applications
The system can be used to obtain water suitable for various uses (human consumption, irrigation, wash-down or others) from the treatment of waters coming from diverse origins: seawater, brackish wells, wastewater treatment plants, industrial processes or others.
Potential customers can include:
Intellectual property status
This technology is protected by patent:
Current development status
The system is fully developed and has been successfully tested both at laboratory and pre-industrial scale. Currently the research group has a pilot demonstration plant capable of generating 1 m3/day of drinking water for human consumption.
Figure 2. Demonstration Pilot Plant
The group of Applied Electrochemistry and Electrocatalysis has many years of experience in the field of Electrochemistry, having successfully carried out several Spanish and European projects. All technical and management staff has extensive experience to ensure the success of any project.
Desired business relationship
Companies interested in acquiring this technology for use and/or commercial exploitation through:
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