TY - JOUR
T1 - A simulation tool for analysis and design of reverse electrodialysis using concentrated brines
AU - Cipollina, Andrea
AU - Micale, Giorgio Domenico Maria
AU - Tedesco, Michele Alessandro
AU - Tamburini, Alessandro
AU - Bogle, I. David L.
PY - 2015
Y1 - 2015
N2 - Reverse Electrodialysis (SGP-RE or RED) represents a viable technology for the conversion of the Salinity Gradient Power into electric power.A comprehensive model is proposed for the RED process using sea or brackish water and concentrated brine as feed solutions. The goals were (i) reliably describing the physical phenomena involved in the process and (ii) providing information for optimal equipment design. For such purposes, the model has been developed at two different scales of description: a lower scale for the repeating unit of the system (cell pair), and a higher scale for the entire equipment (stack). The model was implemented in a process simulator, validated against original experimental information and then used to investigate the influence of the main operating factors and on power output. Feed solutions of different salinities were also tested. A good matching was found between predictions and experiments for a wide range of inlet concentrations, flow rates and feed temperatures. Optimal feed conditions, for the adopted system geometry and membranes, have been found employing brackish water (0.08-0.1 M NaCl) as dilute and brine (4.5-5 M NaCl) as concentrate to generate the highest power density at 40°C temperature. The model can be used to explore the full potential of the RED technology, especially for any investigation regarding the future scale-up of the process.
AB - Reverse Electrodialysis (SGP-RE or RED) represents a viable technology for the conversion of the Salinity Gradient Power into electric power.A comprehensive model is proposed for the RED process using sea or brackish water and concentrated brine as feed solutions. The goals were (i) reliably describing the physical phenomena involved in the process and (ii) providing information for optimal equipment design. For such purposes, the model has been developed at two different scales of description: a lower scale for the repeating unit of the system (cell pair), and a higher scale for the entire equipment (stack). The model was implemented in a process simulator, validated against original experimental information and then used to investigate the influence of the main operating factors and on power output. Feed solutions of different salinities were also tested. A good matching was found between predictions and experiments for a wide range of inlet concentrations, flow rates and feed temperatures. Optimal feed conditions, for the adopted system geometry and membranes, have been found employing brackish water (0.08-0.1 M NaCl) as dilute and brine (4.5-5 M NaCl) as concentrate to generate the highest power density at 40°C temperature. The model can be used to explore the full potential of the RED technology, especially for any investigation regarding the future scale-up of the process.
KW - Reverse Electrodialysis
KW - Salinity Gradient Power
KW - brine
KW - multi-scale model
KW - process simulator
KW - sea water
KW - Reverse Electrodialysis
KW - Salinity Gradient Power
KW - brine
KW - multi-scale model
KW - process simulator
KW - sea water
UR - http://hdl.handle.net/10447/97906
M3 - Article
VL - 93
SP - 441
EP - 456
JO - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING RESEARCH & DESIGN
JF - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING RESEARCH & DESIGN
SN - 0263-8762
ER -