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International Symposium on Fluids and Thermal Engineering (FLUTE 2021) IOP Publishing
Journal of Physics: Conference Series 2178 (2022) 012018 doi:10.1088/1742-6596/2178/1/012018

Solar-Powered Reverse Osmosis Desalination

Akhil Shukla1*, Shubham Agarwal2, Kuldeep Narwat3

1
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Galgotias University, Great Noida, 203201,
India
2
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Galgotias University, Greater Noida,
203201, India
3
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Galgotias University, Greater Noida,
203201, India

Email: akhilshukla1998@gmail.com, kuldeep.narwat@galgotiasuniversity.edu.in,

shubhamagarwal0824@gmail.com

Abstract. With the dimension of renewable energy and resources from the earth, solar
power has come as a bundle of a package for energy production by using PV solar
cells for residential applications. Extension of freshwater from the earth produces
water near a city in different parts of the worldwide is the serious problem especially
in North African countries and the Middle East. So, for the survival of humanity,
desalination is a necessity for the living and with the use of natural energy i.e., plenty
of sunshine coming from the sun. With recent advancements in technology in the field
of solar power & improving the design of energy conversion systems operating on
solar energy harvesting & converting it into electricity with the help of thermopiles.
The major focus is on designing & designing parameters with the overall performance
enhancement of the proposed energy conversion system. Nowadays, solar energy can
also be employed independently or with fossil fuels to reduce CO2 emission & the
Levelized cost of power generation. But with the advancement of the supercritical
Brayton cycle also informs the prospects of lower Levelized cost for higher efficiency
at accessible temperature.

Keywords: Parameters, Energy Demand, Osmosis, Solar Power, Conversion

Systems, configuration, and Operation

1. Introduction

Today, the unspoiled water lack is an important problem in most regions of the globe. The main factor
is, that accessible water resources which are powerfully petrified and polluted, which is not suited for
drinking and daily exploitation. Another trouble is that the portion of the population lives in tiny
villages or places without substructure and abrupt to a central system of energizing and drinking water
supply. One of the bright results for this problem is the processing of independent system of drinking
water supply or chemical process systems working with RES (Renewable Energy Sources), especially

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International Symposium on Fluids and Thermal Engineering (FLUTE 2021) IOP Publishing
Journal of Physics: Conference Series 2178 (2022) 012018 doi:10.1088/1742-6596/2178/1/012018

solar energy. Solar energy likely of the dry areas is usually high. In increase, the cost of capital fuel is
acquiring up while the need to keep clean environment is an important issue intercontinental [1].

There are different chemical process methods planned by scientists and accessible on the marketplace.
Among them, Reverse Osmosis (RO) is rather suited from small to moderate capability method and
has a great position for value decrease and betterment in the ratio in the nearby upcoming. Reverse
Osmosis (RO) is an electrical motivated technology defined by importantly low particular power
need. Because of this concept, it is seen that on a tiny scale RO chemical change system high-powered
by solar energy presents an ideal solution to supply fresh water to tiny gatherings isolated in distinct
areas.[16] There are several research works on solar-powered RO systems. The property of those
systems change from pilot project to industrial standard and subsequently to big projects. In this
study, the solar battery-powered chemical change systems recovered in the writing have been
classified and reviewed. An abstract design of a small PV-powered RO chemical change scheme is
planned, and a preliminary investigation of this system is also given.[14] The Earth contains about 1.4
billion cubic kilometers of water, covering about 70% of its surface, where 97.5% of this water is
salty. Only 0.5% of the remaining freshwater is accessible to support life on earth [19].

Reverse osmosis is an interaction where a pressing factor is practical on a water stream with broad
saltiness content in an environment that drives water particles to move done semi-porous films into a
takedown saltiness stream, abandoning the salt particles. As an idea, RO was at first evolved away by
Reid and Breton at the University of Florida in the last part of the 1950s.[17]Nonetheless, until the
improvement of composite polyamide films, desalination through RO was neither adequately
vigorous nor energy productive. RO films developed over the years [3-6] until the winding wound
design turned into the one exclusively utilized by and by [6]. RO right now represents about half of
the overall desalination limit [15].

2. WORKING PRINCIPLE
Reverse osmosis works on the Principle, that when the applied pressure level is more than the
osmotic pressure so, to increase the pressure of the salt side for the Reverse Osmosis to occurs and
power the water particles to pass directly through the semi-permeable membrane which further
distinguishes the hot dusted water in one side and cold clean water on the other. Naturally, the
water from the lower concentration to higher concentration passes through a membrane contrasting
the sea called Osmosis but for desalination to happen the process has to be reversed.[20] In RO
desalination almost all (around 95 to 99%) dissolved salts in the reject stream behind. And solar-
powered RO desalination can reduce or interrupt the dependency on conventional energy fossil
fuels reduces additional costs and environmental safety with sustainability and a disease-free
community. RO desalination came as an effective way to the human schedule & is the future scope
for living to survive. [4]

3. STUDY OBJECTIVES
The aims of the project may be summarized as follows:
• To construct a Reverse Osmosis process for the desalination of impure hot water into fresh cold
water by passing it through a three-layered semi-permeable membrane.

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International Symposium on Fluids and Thermal Engineering (FLUTE 2021) IOP Publishing
Journal of Physics: Conference Series 2178 (2022) 012018 doi:10.1088/1742-6596/2178/1/012018

• To supply fresh water to all the communities living near the sea and rural household areas or small
communities.
1) Flood affected area.
2) Military application in remote places.
• To spread the knowledge of solar energy and peoples will benefit from that limitless quality of
energy for their use.
• To select the desired requirements of a membrane that can deliver the output by giving the
maximum amount of freshwater to the localities at prevailing conditions. [2]

4. BLOCK DIAGRAM

Figure 1. Block diagram of solar RO system [5]

Solar-powered RO desalination system provides resilience & comfortability. The proposed idea of a
solar-powered RO system provides a 230V, 50Hz AC supply. A battery as a chargeable device
provides power for operating functions for desalination. A solenoid valve to prevent the excess flow
of water when the preservative tank is filled. A UV tube & water level measuring switch connected
with the AC supply to cut the given supply. A booster pump pressurized the water flow into RO
desalination elements through a rack of vessels containing semi-permeable membranes. The pressure
must be high enough with osmotic pressure for the complete process to occur. A Solar PV module is
mounted on a framework for installation. [3]

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International Symposium on Fluids and Thermal Engineering (FLUTE 2021) IOP Publishing
Journal of Physics: Conference Series 2178 (2022) 012018 doi:10.1088/1742-6596/2178/1/012018

Figure 2. Modified Block or circuit diagram of solar RO [5]

5. Desired applied parameters and process involved

5.1. Hyperfiltration Process
Reverse Osmosis plants are made in such a way and have the capability to use selective semi
membrane which is capable to apart fluids of various salt, allowing the natural process of present
fluid molecules, only through ejection the incursion of substance molecules and different
elements.
• The applied unit to emulate the procedure is the force applied to salted water drives into the RO
system.
• Reverse Osmosis is the most effective and finest mode of water separation, it is called
Hyperfiltration.[6]

Figure 3. Thin Film Composite (TFC) [12]

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International Symposium on Fluids and Thermal Engineering (FLUTE 2021) IOP Publishing
Journal of Physics: Conference Series 2178 (2022) 012018 doi:10.1088/1742-6596/2178/1/012018

5.2. Physical parameters of Hyperfiltration-

The salt concentration and Osmotic pressure are directly related. Data for desalination
application of different salinity compiled in Fig. Activity involved is reversible, limited by
pressure level and concentration in different (dp & dc) and mass transfer within the membrane
takes place. The semi-permeability of the membrane is not ideal. Various molecular forms have
penetrated at different rates in the case of desalination water and constituents of salt. The
diffusion coefficient Dc and concentration gradient of the membrane define penetration order N,
next expressions. It is assumed that the distribution coefficient is self-reliant on concentration c,
integration yield dependence of thickness dell. [7]

N= -Dc. dc/dx
N= (Cf - Cp ).Dc. δ -¹

Figure 4. Hyperfiltration parameter Graph [13]

6. The working process

Solar-powered RO desalination limit transforms the saltwater into freshwater by converting the
energy coming from sun rays to heat, to drive the desalination process. Solar power desalination
provides resilience and abundance. The saltwater in the system unit is being heated by the sun rays
and collects on the inside lid and condenses to liquid as clean water in a separate container called a
reservoir. The process involved an incomplete transformation of saltwater into freshwater.

5
International Symposium on Fluids and Thermal Engineering (FLUTE 2021) IOP Publishing
Journal of Physics: Conference Series 2178 (2022) 012018 doi:10.1088/1742-6596/2178/1/012018

6.1 Standardization
The water product which flows through sheet machine normally resembles ph fluctuation and
desalination earlier existence transferral to the dissemination method for usage as drink water. PH
requires within the range from approximately 5 to a close valve to 7 before product flows through
with aeration tube. In many cases as noticed by the observer, the product water discharges a holding
cistern for future use.[8]

Figure 5. Elements of Reverse Osmosis Desalination process [11]

6.2 Proposed System

The proposed idea of a solar-based RO desalination system that transforms the saltwater into fresh
(drinking) water by converting the energy coming from the sun rays to heat, drive the desalination
process. Solar-powered RO system provides resilience & abundance. This RO system provides a
230V, 50Hz AC supply which undergoes 5 stage system such as pre-filtration, sediment filter, RO
membrane, UV tube & ultra-filtration process. The existing RO system which operated on an AC
system is demonstrated.

7. COMPONENTS TO BE USED [9]

7.1 Battery- A power source consists of cells with external connections for powering devices such as
flashlights, machine elements, gadgets, etc.

7.2 Solenoid valve- A valve used to stop the flow of water when the permeate tank is filled with fresh
water. It is an electrically controlled valve that features a solenoid. It acts as a
shutter for any liquid flow.

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International Symposium on Fluids and Thermal Engineering (FLUTE 2021) IOP Publishing
Journal of Physics: Conference Series 2178 (2022) 012018 doi:10.1088/1742-6596/2178/1/012018

Fig. 6 Solenoid valve [10]

7.3 RO Membrane

RO membranes are typically capable of removing 90%–99% of contaminants such as total

dissolved solids (TDSs) in the water supply. The membranes are usually manufactured as a flat
sheet of thin composite membranes consisting of an active polyamide layer (high permeability but
impermeable to dissolved salts and particulate matter) supported by a porous polysulphone layer
wound around a central collection tube.

Fig. 7 RO Membrane [10]

7.4 Booster pump- A pump used to maximize the flow of liquid by increasing the pressure and
velocity of flow by employing a jet boosting device.

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International Symposium on Fluids and Thermal Engineering (FLUTE 2021) IOP Publishing
Journal of Physics: Conference Series 2178 (2022) 012018 doi:10.1088/1742-6596/2178/1/012018

Fig. 8 Booster pump [10]

7.5 UV Choke- A device operated in AC supply that helps in lighting up the UV tube& acts as a
supporting agent for UV tube.

Fig. 9 UV Choke [10]

8. SCOPE OF THE PROJECT

Future expansions of this examination may incorporate further assessment of force dispatch
procedures rather than the decently straightforward methodology received in this paper, which
may likewise prompt a staggered advancement model, with the force dispatch being a sub-issue
in the general framework. Future work may likewise incorporate nitty-gritty examinations with
other sun-oriented fueled water desalination innovations like HDH for changing creation limit
and saltiness levels.

9. Results and discussion

Following results are obtained after the successful implementation-

• Working of this system is a straightforward gathering which is a decent model to have,versatile

wellspring of RO decontaminated water, has less weight and more modest size .

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International Symposium on Fluids and Thermal Engineering (FLUTE 2021) IOP Publishing
Journal of Physics: Conference Series 2178 (2022) 012018 doi:10.1088/1742-6596/2178/1/012018

• This paper closes the entire uses of environmentally friendly power by utilizing very little RO
units that decreases energy price and free from lattice organization.
• The set up factors take into account the Ro framework setup, estimating the pressure-driven
power elements and their operating conditions, even as estimating the PV gatherers, battery
stockpiling, and force dispatch.
• Furthermore, the testing count showed that this can be a heavy good item to possess in
circumstances of floods and far regions wherever the water sanitation is ought to are finished.
Future purifiers can less immoderate and useful to utilize.

10. Conclusion

In this paper, we compared the cost-effectiveness, energy efficiency, and other relevant quantities
of these potential solar desalination systems, and concluded that the direct solar-desalination
systems using solar-thermal collectors appear to be most attractive for highly energy-efficient solar-
desalination systems, although significant technical challenges are remaining. Further, we over
viewed the economics and practical issues associated with employing cost-effective solar
desalination systems to provide for economic water sources for urban and also agricultural areas.
We considered factors that have a significant impact on these solar-desalination systems: including
location, climate, and access to ocean water or brackish water sources, as well as land-use and
ecological issues. The design variables consider the RO system configuration, sizing of the
hydraulic power elements and their operating conditions, as well as sizing of the PV collectors,
battery storage and power dispatch Future extensions of this research may include further
examination of power-dispatch strategies instead of the fairly simple approach adopted in this
paper, which may also lead to a multi-level optimization model, with the power dispatch being a
sub-problem in the overall system.

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International Symposium on Fluids and Thermal Engineering (FLUTE 2021) IOP Publishing
Journal of Physics: Conference Series 2178 (2022) 012018 doi:10.1088/1742-6596/2178/1/012018

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