Modeling, controlling and optimizing the application of photovoltaic energy on CDI cells

Abstract

Energy has traditionally been the most expensive component in most water desalination technologies. Reverse osmosis technology has reduced its energy footprint by up to 50%, thanks to modern thermodynamic systems for the treatment of seawater. However, this energy efficiency drops to 10% for treatment less concentrated water such as brackish water. According to figures from the water treatment industry, it is estimated that this energy accounts for more than 65% of the cost of producing water. The Capacitive De-Ionizer (CDI) is a desalination method that directly affects the ions in the solution and attracts them to the electric double layers which release the pure water from the cell. CDIs have been discovered for more than 50 years, but they have recently recognized an increasing development, due to the carbon electrodes development and the reduced energy consumption for salt removal. Recent studies on CDI have attributed a great energy advantage to this technique, especially for applications of low concentration solutions. Add to this reduced energy aspect, that the needs for filtered / potable water are more pressing in the sunniest countries (absence of rivers, lakes, etc.) and that the electrification works at the point of production and treatment remains not only an energy consumption challenge, but also a monetary burden for the states in charge. In this research, we present a model for the application of the photovoltaic energy not only to supply the CDI cell, but also to take advantage of the flow control impact on the cell to optimize the solar panel energy behavior considering a stable concentration on the product water.

Date	8 Sept 2023
Original language	American English
Awarding Institution	École de technologie supérieure
Supervisor	Maarouf Saad (Supervisor) & Imad Mougharbel (Co-supervisor)