11.4 Applications and challenges in MD implementation
4 min read•august 7, 2024
Membrane distillation (MD) is making waves in water treatment. It's tackling tough jobs like desalinating seawater, concentrating industrial waste, and even helping make drugs and food. MD's secret? Using heat, not pressure, to purify water through special membranes.
But MD isn't without its challenges. Scaling, , and energy use can be tricky. Scientists are working on better membranes and ways to use waste heat to make MD more efficient. With some clever engineering, MD could be a game-changer for clean water.
Desalination and Industrial Applications
Seawater and Brackish Water Desalination
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Frontiers | Heat and Mass Transport in Modeling Membrane Distillation Configurations: A Review View original
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Frontiers | Heat and Mass Transport in Modeling Membrane Distillation Configurations: A Review View original
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Frontiers | Heat and Mass Transport in Modeling Membrane Distillation Configurations: A Review View original
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Frontiers | Heat and Mass Transport in Modeling Membrane Distillation Configurations: A Review View original
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Top images from around the web for Seawater and Brackish Water Desalination
Frontiers | Heat and Mass Transport in Modeling Membrane Distillation Configurations: A Review View original
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Frontiers | Heat and Mass Transport in Modeling Membrane Distillation Configurations: A Review View original
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Frontiers | Heat and Mass Transport in Modeling Membrane Distillation Configurations: A Review View original
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Frontiers | Heat and Mass Transport in Modeling Membrane Distillation Configurations: A Review View original
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Frontiers | Heat and Mass Transport in Modeling Membrane Distillation Configurations: A Review View original
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MD used to desalinate seawater and brackish water to produce freshwater
Capable of treating high salinity waters that are challenging for traditional technologies like reverse osmosis
Driven by a across the membrane rather than high pressure
Produces high purity distillate suitable for drinking or industrial use
Brine Concentration and Zero Liquid Discharge
MD applied to further concentrate brine streams from desalination plants
Enables higher water recovery and reduces the volume of brine for disposal
Can be part of a zero liquid discharge system where all wastewater is treated and recycled
Minimizes environmental impact of brine disposal (reduces marine pollution)
Recovers valuable minerals or metals from concentrated brine (lithium, magnesium)
Industrial Wastewater Treatment and Resource Recovery