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Membrane Distillation for Solar Desalination

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Seawater Desalination

Part of the book series: Green Energy and Technology ((GREEN))

Abstract

Membrane distillation (MD) is a hybrid thermal/membrane desalination process in which pure water vapour from a salt solution passes through a hydrophobic membrane, driven by a difference in temperature, and condenses on the opposite side. This chapter starts with a detailed explanation of the principles behind membrane distillation. The four main types of MD technology are then discussed and the technical advantages and disadvantages of each technology are outlined, focusing on the crucial features for coupling MD with solar thermal energy. Heat and mass transfer phenomena are examined with regard to the influences of temperature polarisation and salt concentration on process performance. Finally, available semi-commercial MD systems are briefly presented with details on solar thermally driven MD systems for the autonomous desalination of brackish and sea water.

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Abbreviations

AGMD:

air gap membrane distillation

DC:

direct current

DCMD:

direct contact membrane distillation

MD:

membrane distillation

MED:

multi effect distillation

MPP:

maximum power point

MSF:

multi stage flash

PP:

polypropylene

PTFE:

polytetrafluorethylene

PV:

photovoltaic

PVDF:

polyvinylidenfluoride

SGMD:

sweeping gas membrane distillation

VMD:

vacuum membrane distillation

References

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE, Freiburg, Germany

    Joachim Koschikowski & Marcel Wieghaus

  2. PSE AG - Projects in Solar Energy, Freiburg, Germany

    Joachim Koschikowski & Marcel Wieghaus

  3. Institute for Solar Technology SPF University of Applied Sciences Rapperswil HSR Oberseestr. 10, CH-8460, Rapperswil, Switzerland

    Matthias Rommel

Authors
  1. Joachim Koschikowski
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  2. Marcel Wieghaus
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  3. Matthias Rommel
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Joachim Koschikowski .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dipto. Ingegneria Chimica dei, Università Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Palermo, 90128, Italy

    Giorgio Micale

  2. Dipto. Ingegneria Chimica dei, Università Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Palermo, 90128, Italy

    Lucio Rizzuti

  3. Dipto. Ingegneria Chimica dei, Università Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Palermo, 90128, Italy

    Andrea Cipollina

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Koschikowski, J., Wieghaus, M., Rommel, M. (2009). Membrane Distillation for Solar Desalination. In: Micale, G., Rizzuti, L., Cipollina, A. (eds) Seawater Desalination. Green Energy and Technology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-01150-4_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-01150-4_7

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-01149-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-01150-4

  • eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)

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