Experimental Study on a Reverse Osmosis Device Coupled with Solar Energy for Water Desalination

Algeria is located in a semi-arid region, suffering now more than ever from the problem of inadequate water resources. It is also characterized by irregular rainfall. Membrane sea water desalination technology has known in recent years remarkable progress. Reverse osmosis is the most widespread process to increase fresh water production for domestic, agriculture and industrial uses. Currently, renewable energies can provide a sustainable and alternative solution for generating reverse osmosis systems operating at high pressure. The production of fresh and potable water by solar water desalination remains a sustainable strategy and economic option to fill the water deficit in areas that do not have access to safe drinking water and electricity. For this, this principle is developed industrially for the desalination of the sea waters and the purification of the water. The main objective of the present work is the study of a small capacity (100 I/h) reverse osmosis plan intended for desalination and water treatment operation. We have especially worked on the effect of pressure and salinity on the production and quality of the water produced. The performed work is purely experimental and is part within the framework of improving the profitability of an RO device. Initiation of coupling of the reverse osmosis pilot to solar energy in order to reduce energy consumption (4 KW/ 1m3) is being investigated. During this period of experimentation a physicochemical and bacteriological analysis of the water before and after treatment were carried out.