Theoretical performance prediction of a reverse osmosis desalination membrane element under variable operating conditions

Sea Water Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) desalination systems powered by Renewable Energy (RE) can reduce drastically costs, specific energy consumption and CO2 emissions. A direct connection of a SWRO desalination system with RE technologies such as photovoltaics, can result in lowering the specific energy consumption due to the part-load operation of the desalination unit. However, due to the variable nature of solar energy, the membranes could...