Dissolved gases in seawater and their

effects on desalination processes

Ahmad Al.atili
Sanad Hasheesh
Abduallh Bni Hnai

Prof : HABIS AL_ZOUBI

Introduction
• Seawater contains a variety of dissolved gases, primarily
nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide. While these gases
are essential for marine life, they can pose challenges for
the desalination process, particularly carbon dioxide
(CO2). This report explores the presence and impacts of
these gases, with a special focus on CO2's role in
desalination.
Types and Concentrations of Dissolved
Gases in Seawater
• Nitrogen: The most abundant gas, constituting about 48-54% of total
dissolved gases. It has minimal impact on desalination.
• Oxygen: Makes up 20-28% of dissolved gases and is crucial for
marine life. However, high oxygen levels can increase corrosion in
desalination plants.
• Carbon Dioxide: Comprises 0.6-1.4% of dissolved gases, but its
concentration varies based on temperature, salinity, and biological
activity. CO2 plays a significant role in the desalination process due
to its chemical and physical effects.
Impacts of Dissolved Gases on
Desalination
• Membrane Desalination:
• CO2: Forms carbonic acid, lowering pH and increasing membrane
degradation. High CO2 also creates scaling issues with calcium carbonate
(CaCO3) precipitation.
• Oxygen: Can cause membrane oxidation and lead to reduced efficiency and
lifespan.
• Thermal Desalination:
• CO2: Increases corrosion in boilers and heat exchangers due to carbonic
acid formation. High CO2 can also affect flash point and evaporation rates.
• Oxygen: Contributes to corrosion and scaling in brine heaters and
evaporators.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
• Chemical Impacts:
• Acidification: CO2 reacts with water to form carbonic acid, lowering pH and
making the water more corrosive. This can damage desalination equipment and
increase maintenance costs.
• Scaling: High CO2 concentration can lead to CaCO3 precipitation, forming scale
on membranes and heat exchangers, reducing efficiency and requiring cleaning.
• Physical Impacts:
• Gas separation: Removing CO2 from seawater before desalination can be
energy-intensive, adding to operational costs.
• Brine discharge: Brine from desalination plants naturally contains high CO2.
Discharging this brine can contribute to ocean acidification, impacting marine
ecosystems.
Managing Dissolved Gases in Desalination
• Pretreatment: Removing or reducing CO2 and oxygen before
desalination can mitigate their negative impacts. Various methods
exist, including gas stripping, membrane degasification, and
biological treatment.
• Advanced technologies: Exploring new membrane materials and
desalination processes less sensitive to CO2 is an ongoing research
area.
• Brine management: Minimizing brine discharge or capturing CO2
from brine for reuse or sequestration are crucial for environmental
sustainability.
Conclusion
• Dissolved gases, especially CO2, pose significant
challenges for the desalination process. Understanding
their impacts and implementing effective management
strategies is crucial for ensuring efficient and sustainable
desalination. Further research and development of
technologies to counter CO2's negative effects are critical
for the future of desalination as a key water security
solution.
Oxygen
Oxygen is a chemical element represented by the symbol "O“
in the periodic table. It is an essential element for life on Earth.
Oxygen is abundant in the air we breathe, making up about 21%
of the Earth's atmosphere. It plays a crucial role in the process of
respiration, where it is used to oxidize food and produce energy.
Oxygen also plays a role in various chemical processes, such as
fuel combustion and biological decomposition. Additionally,
oxygen is used in many industrial applications, including
pharmaceuticals and space technology.
Effect of oxygen on seawater
Oxygen plays a crucial role in marine
ecosystems. It supports the survival of marine
organisms by providing them with the essential
element they need for respiration. Oxygen-rich
waters promote the growth of diverse and
healthy marine life, including fish, corals, and
other aquatic organisms.
Benefits of oxygen on seawater
Benefits of oxygen in seawater include:

1. Supporting the respiration of marine organisms: Oxygen is vital

for the survival of fish, crustaceans, and other marine creatures,
enabling them to breathe and carry out their life processes.

2. Maintaining water quality: Adequate oxygen levels help maintain

the overall health and balance of the marine ecosystem, preventing
the accumulation of harmful substances and promoting the
decomposition of organic matter.
Drawbacks of oxygen on seawater
• However, there can also be drawbacks associated with oxygen in
seawater:
1. Oxygen depletion: In some situations, oxygen levels in seawater can
drop to dangerously low levels, leading to hypoxic conditions. This can
occur due to factors like pollution, excessive algal growth, or changes
in temperature. Oxygen-depleted areas can harm marine life and
disrupt the balance of the ecosystem.
2. Harmful algal blooms: While certain algae are beneficial, excessive
growth can lead to harmful algal blooms. These blooms can deplete
oxygen levels in the water, causing harm to marine organisms and
sometimes even leading to mass mortality events
Concentration of oxygen in sea water
The solubility of oxygen in seawater is influenced by several
factors. It depends on the temperature and salinity of the
water. Generally, as the water temperature increases, the
solubility of oxygen decreases. Additionally, as the salinity
of the water increases, the solubility of oxygen also
decreases. These factors affect the distribution of oxygen in
the oceans and determine the areas that can support marine
life effectively.
The effect of oxygen on the desalination
process
The effect of oxygen on the desalination process is quite
significant. Oxygen plays a crucial role in enhancing the
efficiency of desalination. It acts as an oxidizing agent,
helping to remove organic matter and other impurities from
the saline water. Additionally, oxygen aids in the activity of
oxidizing bacteria used in certain desalination processes,
further improving their effectiveness. Overall, oxygen
contributes to the overall quality and efficiency of the
desalination process.
Remove oxygen
• Some common methods to remove oxygen :

1. Chemical deoxygenation: Chemicals like sodium sulfite or sodium

metabisulfite can be used to absorb oxygen from the water.
2. Physical methods: Physical methods such as distillation or
membrane separation can be used to remove
oxygen from the water.
Hydrogen
• Hydrogen is present in seawater, although in relatively small
quantities. Seawater is composed of various elements and
compounds, including hydrogen. Hydrogen in seawater exists
mainly in the form of dissolved molecular hydrogen gas (H2) and as
part of the water molecule (H2O). It can be extracted from
seawater through various methods, such as electrolysis. Hydrogen
has gained attention as a potential clean and renewable energy
source. Its extraction from seawater could contribute to the
development of sustainable energy solutions
Concentrration of HYDROGEN in sea
water
The hydrogen concentration in seawater is relatively
low, ranging from 1 to 2 parts per million. This means
that every million parts of water in the ocean
contains 1 to 2 parts of hydrogen. This low
concentration requires advanced and costly
techniques to extract hydrogen from seawater.
Effect of hydrogen
The effects of hydrogen on seawater are minimal because hydrogen
itself is a non-reactive gas. When hydrogen gas is released into
seawater, it tends to quickly rise to the surface and escape into the
atmosphere. It does not significantly alter the composition or
properties of the seawater itself. However, it's important to note that
extracting hydrogen from seawater can be a complex and costly
process.
HYDROGEN REMOVAL METHOD
One common method for extracting hydrogen from water is through electrolysis. In this
process, an apparatus called an electrolyzer is used. The electrolyzer consists of two
electrodes, usually made of metal, immersed in water. The electrodes are connected to a
power source, such as a battery or an electrical outlet. When the power is applied, an
electric current flows through the water. This current causes a chemical reaction to occur at
the electrodes. At the positively charged electrode (called the anode), oxygen gas (O2) is
produced through the process of oxidation. At the negatively charged electrode (called the
cathode), hydrogen gas (H2) is produced through the process of reduction. The oxygen and
hydrogen gases are then collected separately. The hydrogen gas can be stored and used as
a clean source of energy, while the oxygen gas is typically released into the atmosphere. It's
important to note that electrolysis requires a significant amount of energy input, usually in
the form of electricity. The efficiency of the process depends on various factors, such as the
type of electrolyzer used and the purity of the water.
The process of extracting hydrogen from seawater is called "water electrolysis" or "water splitting." There are
different methods for this process, but the most common one is using electrolysis
The effect of hydrogen on the desalination
process
The hydrogen in seawater doesn't have a direct impact on the desalination
process. Desalination aims to remove impurities and salts from seawater
to make it suitable for drinking or agricultural use. Techniques like reverse
osmosis or flash evaporation are typically used to remove the salts and
contaminants. Hydrogen is not part of this process
• The presence of hydrogen in seawater doesn't directly impact the
process of desalinating seawater. Desalination is the process of removing
impurities and salts from seawater to make it suitable for drinking or
agricultural use. Techniques such as reverse osmosis or flash evaporation
are typically used to remove salts and contaminants. Hydrogen is not a
part of this process.