29/October

Membrane distillation (MD) is an Efficient Desalination Technique

Membrane distillation (MD) is an Efficient Desalination Technique

Efficient desalination plants are designed to help industries with advanced desalination technologies. It is used to purify seawater or brackish water to make it more usable for the various industrial use. There are many technologies for desalination and the Membrane distillation (MD) is one of the best ones.

Membrane distillation (MD) is one of the most effective separation technologies and it is now being used worldwide to address the issue of shortage of clean water. Places where water is available, but they are not suitable for humans or industries, the Membrane distillation (MD) is used to purify the water.

The Membrane distillation (MD) can be used in desalination plants for future projects. It has many benefits and advantages over other methods. Knowing about it can help companies find the right solution for your industrial application.

What is Membrane distillation (MD)?

Membrane distillation (MD) is a process of separation of two liquids or solutions where a micro-porous hydrophobic membrane is used as a separator. The hydrophobic membrane acts as barrier for the liquid phase and allows the vapor to pass through the membrane. This happens due to difference in temperature, which prevents the contaminants to pass through the membrane. The partial vapor pressure is responsible for the entire process and is triggered by the difference in temperature.

How It Works

Membrane distillation (MD) process involves many techniques, which depends on the requirements. Some of the most common MD techniques are:

  • Direct Contact MD (DCMD)
  • Air Gap MD (AGMD)
  • Vacuum MD (VMD)
  • Sweeping Gas MD (SWGMD)
  • Vacuum multi-effect membrane distillation (V-MEMD)
  • Permeate Gap MD (PGMD)

The above techniques are used to determine the vapor pressure created for the membrane. The Direct Contact MD (DCMD) is the most commonly used configuration for the distillation process. In this process, the condensation liquid is on the permeate- side and is in direct contact with the filtrate membrane. In another configuration, the vapor form of the liquid can be collected on a condensation surface, which is usually separated from the membrane a with air gap (AGMD) or a vacuum (VMD), or can be liquidated using the inert sweep gas (SGMD).

Advantages of Using the Membrane distillation (MD) Process

There are many benefits and advantages of using the Membrane distillation (MD) process. Efficient desalination plants use this method to purify water be separating the contamination from the water.

This method can be used for purifying different types of water, such as:

  • Seawater desalination
  • Brackish water desalination
  • Desalination brine treatment
  • Process water treatment
  • Removal of ammonium
  • The advantages of using the Membrane distillation (MD) are:

Low temperature

Compared to the conventional distillation process, the MD process works in low temperature and low hydraulic pressure (max 100 psi). This means the cost of energy usage will be less. Its ability to work efficiently at lower temperature and pressure also makes it a less complicated process. It saves a lot of time and money too.

Cost-effective Membrane

Compared to other types of separating membranes, such as Reverse Osmosis, the Membrane Distillation is less expensive. It can work at low temp and pressure and can use the residual heat to complete the process. Alternative energy like sun and wind can also be used to power the process. This is one of the reasons why it is considered at one of the most cost-effective methods.

Less Vulnerable to Fluctuation

MD is less vulnerable to the fluctuation caused concentration polarization. In theory, MD can offer 100% retention given the dissolved substance are non-volatile in nature. At the same time, higher concentration of mater can be achieved on the supply-side. This ensures efficient distillation process. The Membrane Distillation process helps create efficient desalination plants for various water purification projects for industries.

It is Highly Efficient

When compared with the traditional distillation methods, the Membrane Distillation simplifies the process. It easily improves the quality of the distillation process, work at low temp or pressure without any hassle, and ensures faster results.

Desalination of Water

In the industrial use, the MD process is highly effective in converting seawater or brackish water into usable water. It can easily retain the non-volatile ionic particles and create distilled or desalinated water for various industrial purposes.

Versatile Application

MD is widely used for all types of distillation process along with water purification. It can be used for water purification in the industries like pharmaceutical, chemical and textile industries. It is also used in concentration of fruit juices and milk processing. The MD method is applicable in many industries.

Environmental Impact

The MD process is very environmentally friendly. Compared to other processes, the MD uses less energy as it can easily work in low temperature and pressure. Energy used is comparatively less and alternate energy sources, such as sun, wind and geothermic can also be used to provide energy for the process. All of these things make MD highly efficient and cost-effective. The cost of running the MD process is lower as compared to the Reverse Osmosis process.

Companies looking for water purification or desalination process that is highly effective, can choose the Membrane Distillation. It doesn’t have any major negative impact on the environment and re-uses the energy, which helps in reduction of waste. Efficient desalination plants use the MD process to purify water or desalinate sweater or brackish water for various industries. It is reliable and efficient method that can save a lot of time and effort.

Its Use in De-salination Process

De-salination is one of the most effective method used by industries to meet their water supply needs. As the per the UN report, most of the parts of the world, do have access to clean water. Despite two-third of the earth covered in water, many parts of the world don’t have access to clean and usable water. In this scenario, desalination of the seawater or brackish water provides a viable solution.

While there are many desalination techniques, the MD is one of the best ones. Desalination is a process in which mineral components of saline water is removed to make it more usable to the humans. Desalination using the MD process can help industries get sufficient water for their work as well supply clean water to the population. Like seawater, the brackish water is also purified using the MD method where the contaminates are removed from it.

The Bottomline

Membrane Distillation is one of the most effective method of desalination or water filtration. It is a low-cost method that can help convert seawater or brackish water into usable water. The process is easy, efficient and less expensive as compared to other types of methods. Efficient desalination plants extensively use the MD process to purify water.

Keiken Engineering Efficient Desalination Plants

Keiken Engineering provides efficient desalination plants for converting seawater and brackish water to make it more usable. We use the latest and the most effective methods, such as MD to provide industries with cost-effective solution. You can rely on our expertise, experience and our team to get the results you want to see. We strive to provide desalination solution at low cost to meet the quality and efficiency requirements of water supply and water treatment industries.

Gives us a call at +34 91 057 72 54 for knowing more about our desalination plants.