SEMINAR REPORT 2012

OSMOTIC POWER GENERATION

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
Energy consumption is an important aspect in our day to day life. Energy
consumption rate is increasing very rapidly everyday .If this continues as such
then the world will one day face shortage of energy. So its time to look for more
sources of energy rather than the non-renewable sources of energy and reduce the
rate of consumption of non-renewable energy. There are many forms of renewable
energy sources in the world. The abundant renewable energies include solar energy,
tidal energy, wind energy, Geo thermal energy etc. One of the most recent power
generation techniques is osmotic power generation.

Osmotic power or salinity gradient power is the energy available from the
difference in the salt concentration between seawater and river water. Salinity
gradient power is a specific renewable energy alternative that creates renewable
and sustainable power by using naturally occurring processes.

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CHAPTER 2 PRINCIPLE
The basic principle involved in osmotic power generation is OSMOSIS. Osmosis is the
movement of solvent molecules through a selectively permeable membrane into a
region of higher solute concentration, aiming to equalize the solute concentrations
on the two sides. It may also be used to describe a physical process in which any
solvent moves, without input of energy, across a semi permeable membrane (permeable
to the solvent, but not the solute) separating two solutions of different
concentrations. Salinity gradient energy is based on using the resources of
―osmotic pressure difference between fresh water and sea water.‖All energy that is
proposed to use salinity gradient technology relies on the evaporation to separate
water from salt. Osmotic pressure is the "chemical potential of concentrated and
dilute solutions of salt". When looking at relations between high osmotic pressure
and low, solutions with higher concentrations of salt have higher pressure.

Fig 1 Osmosis

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CHAPTER 3 METHODS
Two practical methods for osmotic power generation are reverse electro dialysis
(RED) and pressure-retarded osmosis. (PRO).

3.1

Reversed electro dialysis A method being developed and studied is reversed electro
dialysis or reverse

dialysis, which is essentially the creation of a salt battery. This method was
described by Weinstein and Leitz as ―an array of alternating anion and cation
exchange membranes can be used to generate electric power from the free energy of
river and sea water.‖ The technology related to this type of power is still in its
infant stages, even though the principle was discovered in the 1950s. Standards and
a complete understanding of all the ways salinity gradients can be utilized are
important goals to strive for in order make this clean energy source more viable in
the future 3.2 Pressure-retarded osmosis One method to utilize salinity gradient
energy is called pressure-retarded osmosis. In this method, seawater is pumped into
a pressure chamber that is at a pressure lower than the difference between the
pressures of saline water and fresh water. Freshwater is also pumped into the
pressure chamber through a membrane, which increase both the volume and pressure of
the chamber. As the pressure differences are compensated, a turbine is spun
creating energy. This method is being specifically studied by the Norwegian utility
Statkraft, which has calculated that up to 25 TWh/yr would be available from this
process in Norway. Statkraft has built the world's first prototype osmotic power
plant on the Oslo fiord which was opened by

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Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway on November 24, 2009. It
aims to produce enough electricity to light and heat a small town within five years
by osmosis. At first it will produce a minuscule 4 kilowatts – enough to heat a
large electric kettle, but by 2015 the target is 25 megawatts – the same as a small
wind farm.

Fig 2

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OSMOTIC POWER GENERATION

CHAPTER 4 OSMOTIC POWER PROTOTYPE

Fig 3 Osmotic power Prototype

The components of osmotic power prototype are a) The pre-treatment equipments

Fig 4a Sea water pretreatment

Fig4b Fresh water pretreatment

The incoming fresh water and sea water are purified by using these equipments
before being fed into the plant.

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OSMOTIC POWER GENERATION

b) Membrane Modules: Thin membranes rolled membranes for osmosis

Fig 5 Membrane modules

The membranes employed are mainly of two types of: (i) Cellulose acetate membrane A
cellulose acetate membrane was prepared as following: the casting solution is cast
on a glass plate and immersed in ice cold water after solvent evaporation. After
solidification the membrane is annealed between 80° and 95°C. A typical casting
solution, according to a GKSS patent, consists out of cellulose diacetate,
cellulose triacetate, dioxane, acetone, acetic acid and methanol. This composition
was kept, but due to changing the casting parameters, both in the lab and in pilot
scale, the performance was improved. Casting parameters like casting speed, changes
in the temperature of the coagulation bath and also the changes of the support
material led to the improved performance. Starting with a membrane performance of
approximately 0.5 W/m2, this type of membrane was improved to a performance of
close to 1.3 W/m2.

(ii)

TFC membrane TFC membranes are made by the interfacial polymerisation of

trimesoylchloride and m-phenylene diamine. Starting with a membrane

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performance of approximately 0.1 W/m2, this type of membrane was improved to a

performance of close to 3.5 W/m2.

c) Turbine for power generation

Fig 6 Turbine

d) Pressure Exchangers and booster pumps to provide inlet seawater with sufficient
pressure

Fig 7 Pressure Exchanger

The PX energy recovery device uses the principle of positive displacement and
isobaric chambers to achieve extremely efficient transfer of energy from a high
pressure waste stream to low pressure incoming feed stream. Virtually no energy is
lost in the transfer.

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OSMOTIC POWER GENERATION

One particularly efficient type of pressure exchanger is a rotary pressure

exchanger. This device uses a cylindrical rotor with longitudinal ducts parallel to
its rotational axis. The rotor spins inside a sleeve between two end covers.
Pressure energy is transferred directly from the high pressure stream to the low
pressure stream in the ducts of the rotor. Some fluid that remains in the ducts
serves as a barrier that inhibits mixing between the streams. This rotational
action is similar to that of an old fashioned machine gun firing high pressure
bullets and it is continuously refilled with new fluid cartridges. The ducts of the
rotor charge and discharge as the pressure transfer process repeats itself.

Fig 8 Schematics of Pressure Exchanger

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CHAPTER 5 WORKING
In the PRO process, water with no or low salt gradient is fed into the plant and
filtered before entering the membrane modules using the pre-treatment equipments.
Membrane modules could contain spiral wound or hollow fibre membranes. In the
module, 80–90% of the water with low salt gradient is transferred by osmosis across
the membrane into the pressurised salty water. The osmotic process increases the
volumetric flow of high pressure water and is the key energy transfer in the power
production process. This requires membranes with particularly high water flux and
excellent salt retention properties.

The illustration in figure shows salty water pumped from the sea and filtered
before it is pressurised and fed into the membrane module. In the module it is
diluted by the water received from the less salty side of the membrane. The
volumetric feed of salty water is about twice that of the fresh water.

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The diluted and now brackish water from the membrane module is split in two flows.
While 1/3 of the brackish water is fed though the turbine to generate power, 2/3 is
returned and energy is recycled in the pressure exchanger to add pressure to the
feed of salty water. Optimal operating pressures are in the range of 11–15 bars,
equivalent to a water head of 100–145 metres in a hydropower plant, enabling the
generation of 1 MW per m3 s fresh water. The fresh water feed operates at ambient
pressure. Pre-treatment of the water will be necessary depending on the water
qualities. In Norwegian water treatment plants, mechanical filtration down to 50
μm, in combination with a standard cleaning and maintenance cycle has been enough
to sustain the membrane performance for 7–10 years.

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CHAPTER 6 INFLUENCING FACTORS

 The membrane system is the heart of the osmotic power generation process

Ideal FO membrane system High water flux Sufficient salt rejection Limited fouling
Scalable for mass production To be fit in modules Reasonable cheap  The volume of
water entering: The more water that enters the system, the more power can be
produced.  Salinity gradient: The higher the gradient between salinity in the
fresh- and saltwater, the more pressure will build up in the system.  Purity of
water: It is important that the fresh water and sea water is as clean as possible.
Substances in the water may get captured within the membranes support structure or
on the membrane surfaces, which will reduce the flow through the membrane causing
reduction in power output. This phenomenon, which is called fouling, is linked to
the design of the system, to the characteristics of the membrane, and to the
membrane element.  Flow losses: Flow losses should be minimum

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CHAPTER 7 MERITS AND DEMERITS

MERITS + Eco Friendly since there is no emission of harmful gases and no disposal
of chemicals. + Can be build anywhere where fresh water flows to saline water. +
High potential. + Abundant since water is used for power generation.

DEMERITS -

High cost of membrane Maintenance cost is higher Discharge of brackish water into
the marine environment may alter the environment and result in changes for animals
and plants living in the local location.

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OSMOTIC POWER GENERATION

CHAPTER 8 BACKGROUND

1964- Hand Wrapped Membrane introduced 1970- Sidney Loeb develops membrane
technology for the desalination of seawater, and also discovers the possibility of
generating osmotic power. 1970s- No membranes suitable for PRO, and hardly for
desalination.

1980s- During the eighties. Desalination more cost effective due to better
membranes and systems.

1997- Statkraft together with SINTEF start a feasibility project on osmotic power
in 1997 spurring the development of a new, renewable energy source.

During the years since 1997 Statkraft together with several international partners
have made great improvement of the osmotic power membrane.

2003- In 2003, Statkraft is awarded its first patent for osmotic power membranes
and opens a test facility at Sunndalsora, Norway. 2009- In 2009, the world’s first
complete osmotic power prototype is constructed at Tofte, southwest of Oslo,
Norway. In November 2009, the operation of the prototype starts and for the first
time the feasibility of the osmotic power concept is demonstrated.

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CHAPTER 8 CONCLUSION AND SCOPE

Osmotic power plants can be constructed anywhere freshwater flows out into the sea,
provided that the salt concentration is sufficiently high. Unlike solar power and
wind power, osmotic power plants are not affected by fluctuations in the weather
and will produce continuous and predictable electricity. Most river outlets around
the world represent a potential location for a plant, even though some rivers need
more cleaning of the water than others.

Enormous potential The global potential is estimated to be 1,600-1,700 TWh –

equivalent to 50% of EU’s total annual power generation today. In Norway alone, it
would be able to generate 12 TWh per year –equivalent to around 10% of our total
power consumption. Osmotic power can become an important contributor to the
generation of clean, renewable energy.

Environment-friendly energy Around the world, rivers flow out into the sea in urban
and industrial areas where it will be possible to construct osmotic power plants. A
power plant the size of a football stadium could supply around 30,000 households
with electricity. These power plants can be built underground, e.g. in the basement
of an industrial building or under a park, minimizing their visual impact. Osmotic
power plants produce renewable energy with no polluting discharges to the
atmosphere or water. In coming years use of renewable energies and thus conserving
energy has to be promoted hugely .Osmotic power generation is indeed a promising
technique with immense potential worldwide.

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REFERENCES
1. Osmotic power — power production based on the osmotic pressure difference
between waters with varying salt gradients Stein Erik Skilhagen*, Jon E. Dugstad,
Rolf Jarle Aaberg Statkraft Development AS, Lilleakerveien 6, No-0216 Oslo, Norway

2. Membrane processes in energy supply for an osmotic power plant Karen Gerstandta,
K.-V. Peinemanna*, Stein Erik Skilhagenb, Thor Thorsenc, Torleif Holtc

3. www.statkraft.com

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