Prueba piloto de membranas de alta eficiencia para la optimización del sistema de membranas en la planta de desalinización de carboneras (Pilot Test of High-Efficiency Membranes for Optimisation of the Membrane System in Carboneras Desalination Plant)

The construction of the new seawater intake for the desalination plant in Las Carboneras (Almería, Spain) was completed in May 2011. Since then, the water intake increased from 14 m to 35 m in depth. A new scenario appeared with the lowest maximum temperatures, while the minimum temperatures remained constant. As a result, new designs and opportunities for operational improvements appeared to optimize the process. To improve the membrane system, a pilot test was developed. This test pilot compared different membranes, and the setup of making 3 different membranes. The test was carried out in high pressure tanks of the full-scale plant (7 elements per tank). The experiment was carried out in two phases: the aging phase and the testing phase. During the aging phase, the membranes of the three manufacturers were tested simultaneously using the same feed water and the same discharge conditions as the full-scale frame in order to achieve the membrane performance estimated by the manufacturer. The main operating parameters were controlled. During the test phase the membranes of each manufacturer were alternately tested in individual tanks with total control of the operating conditions (flow and pressure). The purpose of this test was to compare the performance of the different membranes and determine the optimal configuration of the membrane capable of achieving the necessary quality and quantity of water, with the minimum energy consumption with the new thermal scenario. The results showed the difference in performance between membranes. The study's conclusions could serve as a tool for the decision-making process, related to membrane replacement and plant modernization projects (whose designs are based on the configuration of new high-efficiency membranes). Keywords: Reverse osmosis, membranes, pilot test, energy efficiency, desalination.