BE-SALT Biofouling and Scaling Eradication by Salinity Alteration in Water Desalination
Access to clean water is a major global issue. Saline and wastewater can be returned to high quality freshwater through reverse osmosis (RO) desalination. The main operational challenge for this process is scaling and biofouling, which decreases RO water recovery and increases energy- and chemical consumption. Conventional RO systems are operated in continuous mode with constant brine salinity. In such systems, fouling organisms adapt and form biofilms on the RO membrane. Operating RO systems in batch mode with fluctuating salinity and intermittent brine discharge can reduce water and energy consumption. However, few such installations exist, and it is not known if batch RO operation can be used to eradicate biofouling. Our vision is to lead the way for process design and water/energy efficient operation of RO systems for clean water production. |
Key figures
Category
Participants
Partner | Subsidy | Auto financing |
---|---|---|
GRUNDFOS HOLDING A/S | 1,98 mio. DKK | 3,49 mio. DKK |
Professionshøjskolen VIA University College | 5,14 mio. DKK | 0,69 mio. DKK |
Aarhus Universitet | 3,66 mio. DKK | 0,49 mio. DKK |
Aarhus Universitet | 1,70 mio. DKK | 0,27 mio. DKK |
Aarhus Universitet | 3,62 mio. DKK | 0,43 mio. DKK |
Samn Forsyning ApS | 0,30 mio. DKK | 0,30 mio. DKK |