Feasibility analysis and simulation of reverse electrodialysis for the regeneration of power in desalination plants

This document presents a multi-faceted parametric review on the reverse electrodialysis process regarding ideal and real feed solutions. A hybrid forward osmosis - reverse electrodialysis model is presented for the optimal utilisation of desalination brine effluent for electrical power generation. The power generated is recommended to offset the high energy requirements of seawater reverse osmosis desalination due to relative proximity of brine. The proposed large scale reverse electrodialysis plant has the potential to minimise both capital and operating expenditure of an up-scaled system while maximising net power output. A multi-variable optimisation of the process is achieved using the simulation model derived within the study, concluding with a 10.3% reduction in the specific energy consumption of Perth’s Seawater Desalination Plant located in Kwinana when utilising a series-parallel arrangement of reverse electrodialysis units. However, the model is not specific to a Western Australian context and can be used wherever an opportunity for salinity gradient power generation exists