Proceedings of the 2007 American Control Conference
3
Marriott Marquis Hotel at Times Square
New York City, USA, July 11-13, 2007
Dynamic Modeling of a Simple Reverse Osmosis Desalination Plant
for Advanced Control Purposes
A. Gambier, Senior Member, IEEE, A. Krasnik, E. Badreddin
Abstract— Reverse Osmosis (RO) has become an important process
for desalting water. It requires an efficient control system to maintain
costs at acceptable level and therefore dynamic models are essential.
Although it is possible to find in the literature steady-state models
and some dynamic models obtained by parameter identification,
there are no reports about lumped parameter dynamic models for
control purposes obtained by application of physical laws. Such
models are useful not only to design model-based control systems
but also for the implementation of fault tolerant systems based on
fault detection and isolation (FDI) methods, as well as to analyze
transient characteristics of the plant. In this paper, models from the
literature are shortly analyzed and a simple lumped parameter model
for control purposes, which is derived from physical laws, is proposed.
Moreover, a block-oriented library for MATLAB/SIMULINKTM is
presented, so that different plant configurations can be implemented
as block diagram to simulate the system and to test control algorithms.
I. INTRODUCTION
R EVERSE Osmosis (RO) is a process used to demineralize
water, to clean brackish water or to desalt seawater. The
process consists in recovering water from a saline solution
pressurized by pumping it into a closed vessel to a point grater than
the osmotic pressure of the solution. Thus, the solution is pressed
against a membrane so that it is separated from the solutes (the
dissolved material). The portion of water that passes through the
membrane reducing strongly the solute concentration is called
permeate. The remaining water (brine) is discharged with a
high salt concentration.
In the last years, significant advances in the membrane
technology have allowed an essential improvement in the
filtering quality and simultaneously a general reduction of
costs. Hence, RO plants have today lower energy consump-
tion, investment cost, space requirements and maintenance
than other desalination processes.
On the other hand, RO desalination plants are energy intensive
and require fine tuned components. Therefore, a good control
design is necessary to maintain water-production costs at
acceptable level and to elevate the plant availability, particularly
in regions with high water scarcity. In this case, it is crucial to
Manuscript received September 14, 2006.
A. Gambier is with the Automation Laboratory, University of Heidelberg, B6,
No. 26, 68131 Mannheim, Germany (corresponding author, phone: +49 621 181-
2783; fax: +49 621 181-2739; e-mail: agambier@ieee.org).
A. Krasnik is with the Automation Laboratory, University of Heidelberg, B6, No
26, 68131 Mannheim, Germany.
E. Badreddin is the director of the Automation Laboratory, University of
Heidelberg, B6, No 26, 68131 Mannheim, Germany.
1-4244-0989-6/07/$25.00 ©2007 IEEE.
FrA19.
dispose of a dynamical model in order to be able to apply
advanced techniques of model-based control.
Reverse osmosis transport models can be divided into three
main groups: (i) irreversible thermodynamics models ([18]), (ii)
porous models (such as the finely-porous, preferential sorption-
capillary flow, and surface force-pore flow models) and (iii) non-
porous or homogeneous membrane models (such as all models
based on diffusion). Transport models centers on the top thin skin
of asymmetric membranes or the top thin skin layer of composite
membranes since these determine fluxes and selectivities of most
membranes ([5]). There exists a fundamental difference between
the assumptions about if the membrane is porous or not. Models
based on homogeneity assume that transport takes place between
the interstitial spaces of the polymer chains or polymer modules,
typically by means of diffusion. Porous models assume that
transport occurs through the pores that run the length of the
membrane barrier layer; so that transport occurs not only by
diffusion but also by convection through the pores. However, it
is still not clear if RO membranes are porous or not and it consti-
tutes a current point of discussion. The models mentioned before
have the common characteristic that all assume equilibrium in
the membrane. A simplified model for an industrial plant, which
is based on diffusion equations, has also been reported in [3].
This model integrates partial differential equations to obtain
the final equations those are finally also static.
Several linear dynamic models for RO plants can also be
found in the literature (see for example [2], [4], [14], [15]). All
these models are obtained by system identification using real data
so that they are only valid for a particular plant, working at the
selected operating point. Based on such models advanced control
algorithms have been used: For example in [4], a CMPC (Con-
strained Model Predictive Control) algorithm is presented and in
[15], a DMC approach (Dynamic Matrix Control) is compared
with standard PID control. An overview about control of desali-
nation plants, which includes RO processes, is presented in [1].
The main contribution of the present paper is a lumped parame-
ter dynamic model based on physical laws and its implementation
as blockset for Simulink. This model can be linearized at
different operating points such that algorithms for advanced
model-based linear control systems can be implemented.
II. PROCESS DESCRIPTION
The process itself is well known and can be found in the
specialized literature (see e.g. [6] for a review about different
desalination processes). Here, a short description will be carried
out for completeness reasons (see Fig. 1). Salty feed water is
first pretreated to avoid membrane fouling. It is then sent through
the membrane modules (permeators) by a high-pressure pump.
4854
 FrA19.3

Because of the high pressure, pure water permeates through the models show very different dynamic characteristics, as it can
the membranes and the salty water becomes very concen- be observed from the transfer function of Table I and open loop
trated (brine). The water product flows directly from the step responses of Fig. 3.
permeators into a storage tank, where pH is adjusted and
Transmembrane
minerals are added. The brine (at high pressure) is discharged Pressure Permeate flux
G11(s)
(Fig. 1) or sent to an energy recovery device (see for example
[20]).
pretreatment postreatment G21(s)
chemical RO Unit chemical
P
additives C additives Permeate
Inlet pH + conductivity
Feed water pH
Minerals G22(s)
+
Filter F
fresh
HP pump
pH water Fig. 2. Block diagram for the RO plants obtained from the literature.

brine TABLE I
LP pump
DIFFERENT MODELS FOR RO PLANTS FROM THE LITERATURE
Fig. 1. Schematic diagram of a RO plants TRANSFER FUNCTIONS
Pretreatment is important in RO plants because the membrane Inputs
Reference Pressure control valve Acid inlet valve
surfaces has to be continuously clean. The water should be
−0.155 (0.375 s +1)
pretreated, so that salt precipitation or microbial growth on the F G11(s) = G12 (s) = 0
membranes is avoided. Hence, the pretreatment consists of (0.22 s +1)(2.51 s +1)
fine filtration and the addition of chemicals to inhibit pre- 2.48 e−120 s 0.45e −120s

cipitation and the growth of microorganisms. C G21( s) = G (s) =

(114 s +1)(113 s + 1) 22 (104 s+1)(100s+1)

Outputs
The high-pressure pump supplies the pressure needed to [4]
−4.74
enable the water to pass through the membrane and to have P G31(s) = G32 ( s) = 0
the salts rejected. This pressure range is from 15 to 25 bars (1.45 s +1)
for brackish water and from 54 to 80 bars for seawater. −0.077
pH G41 (s) = 0 G42 (s) =
The membrane assembly consists of a pressure vessel and (21.2 s +1)
several membrane units that permit the feed water to be P pH
pressurized against the membrane. The membrane must be 0.0045 (0.104 s +1)
F G11(s) = G12 (s) = 0
able to resist the entire pressure drop across it. The semi- 0.012 s2 + s +1
Outputs

permeable membranes vary in their ability to pass fresh [14]

−0.12 s + 0.22 10(−3 s +1)
water and reject the passage of salts. C G21 ( s) = G21(s) =
0.1 s2 + 0.3 s + 1 s2 + 5 s + 1
Post-treatment consists of stabilizing the water and preparing it
for distribution. This post-treatment might consist of the removing 0.002 (0.056 s +1)
F G11(s) = G12 (s) = 0
gases such as hydrogen sulfide and adjusting the pH. 0.003 s2 +0.1s +1
Outputs

[15]
−0.51(0.35 s +1) −57(0.32 s +1)
III. EXPERIMENTAL MODELS C G21(s) = G22 (s) =
0.213 s2 + 0.7 s +1 0.6 s2 +1.8 s +1
Several linear models can be found in the literature (see
Notation: F: permeate flow rate, C: permeate conductivity, P: transmen-
for example [2], [4], [14], [15]). In [2], the model was obtained brane pressure, pH: inlet pH
by fitting second order transfer functions of the form y1: Permeate flow rate in m3/d
0.04
K (τi s +1)
Gi (s) = i
(1) 0.02
τ s + 2ςτ
2 2
i i i s +1 0

to real-time data obtained as step response of the plant. This -0.02

model was also used in [15]. The model of [14] was obtained -0.04

by identification of a time-discrete model in z-domain and back -0.06

-0.08
transformation to s-domain. The model given in [4] was also 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 t [m] 20
obtained by step response data and fitting. However, in the last y2: Conductivity in μS/cm
10
model inputs and outputs were defined in a different way. 5
0
All models mentioned above present the same topology as it is -5
shown in Fig. 2, changes in the transmembrane pressure -10
-15
affect the permeate flux and the permeate conductivity, whereas -20
changes in the inlet pH influences only the permeate conductivity -25
-30
so that the interaction is only in one way. -35
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 t [m] 20
Since these models are obtained from real data of particular Model of Reference [14] Model of Reference [15] Model of Reference [4]

plants, it is not possible to verify if models are incorrect. However, Fig. 3. Step responses for the models of Table I.

4855
 FrA19.3

seawater
Notice that the step response of the model given in [4] is not Fs, Ts, Ps, Cs
Mixer
analyzed because of the different definition of inputs and outputs.
Moreover, the structure of Fig. 2 only matches the first two HP Pump
outputs for the model of [4]. The model of [15] has a negative Fs, Ts, Ps, Cs RO unit
gain for transfer functions G21 and G22, i.e. there is an inverse
Fp, Tp, Pp, Cp
relationship between inputs and outputs. For the model [14] Brine Permeate
subsystem Permeate
the gains G21 and G22 are also negative but the transfer functions subsystem
membrane
exhibit non-minimal phase behaviour. Because of these differences, Fb, Tb, Pb, Cb
it is important to have a physical model in order be able to Fp, Tp, Pp, Cp
Energy
analyze the reason of such diverse behaviors. recovery
Permeate

brine

IV. PLANT MODELLING Fig. 4. Decomposition of the RO plant.

The modeling process will be divided in several steps. The o the RO membrane has a homogeneous, nonporous
first one consists in decomposing the plant in subsystems. Hence, surface layer
assumptions will be carried out and variables will be defined. o solute and solvent dissolve in this layer and then each
After that, the subsequent subsections are devoted to present the diffuses across it
model equations for each subsystem. o solute and solvent diffusion is uncoupled and due to its
own chemical potential gradient across the membrane
A. Plant decomposition
o gradients are the result of concentration and pressure
At the present time, there is no suggestion in the literature
differences across the membrane.
about how to decompose RO plants. According to its characteris-
tics, a spatio-temporal decomposition has advantages in the plant • Inside the RO module, flow rates are assumed to be laminar.
organization. This technique consists in a combination between • RO unit is completely fed with water.
the physical decomposition and the functional one. Thus, a
physical decomposition is used for the main plant and functional Finally, variable names and subindices are summarized in
decomposition for the obtained subsystems. Table II. Parameters are given in Table III.
A basic RO system normally consists of five main subsystems: TABLE II
power generation, pretreatment, pumping and energy recovery, NOTATION AND UNITS
membrane assembly (RO unit) and post-treatment (see Fig. 5). VARIABLES
t time s
Electrical seawater
chemicals
Desalination Unit F mass flow rate kg/s
Unit chemicals
q volumetric flow rate m3/s
Power Pre- Pumping
Desalination Pos- m mass kg
Subsystem
Generation treatment
with recovery Subsystem treatment Q b heat flow rate W
Subsystem Subsystem (RO Units) Subsystem
energy device
T temperature °K
brine fresh water
C salt concentration g/kg
electrical energy supply
p pressure MPa
Fig. 5. Schematic geographical decomposition of a RO plant C *p , b average heat capacity kJ/(kg °K)
Subsystems can also be broken down according to physical, π osmotic pressure MPa
functional or both concepts. Pre and post treatments subsystems Subindices
can be modeled as stirred tank-systems ([16]) and models for f Feed water (seewater)
pumping systems can also be found e.g. in [19]. Therefore, p Permeate
the focus of this work is the model of a simple RO unit. A b Brine
possible general decomposition for a RO unit is shown in Fig. 4. v Valve
m Membrane
It consists of the brine subsystem, the permeate subsystem and
the membrane. C. Modeling of the brine side
Balance equations for mass, momentum, energy and salt
B. Modeling Assumptions
of this subsystem yield
Nowadays, there are two technologies that dominate the
mark of membrane production: hollow-fiber and spiral wound. dmb dt = Ff − Fb − Fm (2)
Although modeling principles and general balance equations are dCb dt = 1 mb ⎡⎣ Ff (C f − Cb ) − Fm (C p − Cb ) ⎤⎦ (3)
independent of the membrane technology, some equations will
change from a technology to the other one in order to accom- dpb dt = 1 Lb ⎡⎣ pb − p f − φ F f ⎤⎦ (4)
modate geometrical aspects and filtering procedures. Moreover, with
several assumptions are taken for the model building:
Lb = 32 ηb lb2 (d i2 Pmax ) and φ = 128 ηb lb / πρ b d i4 (5)
• It is assumed that the membrane responses to an ideal and finally
pore-free solution-diffusion model. Thus, following conditions
are implicitly considered in this model: dTb dt = 1 mb ⎡⎣ Ff (T f − Tb ) − Fm (Tp − Tb ) − Q b C *p ,b ⎤⎦ , (6)

4856
 FrA19.3

where C*p,b is the average value of Cp,b between Tf and Tb. An 128η d 0 A
H = . (19)
equation for the specific heat capacity C *p ,b is given in [7]. d i4
The brine flow rate can be obtained from V. SOFTWARE FOR MODELING AND SIMULATION
Fb = Kbo pb − pbo . (7) A simulation environment and a library in the form of
Kbo and pbo are defined by the external valve. The heat flow rate Simulink blockset are currently being developed in order to
model and simulate desalination plants. Only blocks from the
Qb(t) represents heat losses in the system and is calculated from
standard Simulink library are used, so that the minimal configu-
Q b = α t Ab ΔTx , (8) ration of Matlab/Simulink is necessary to model such processes.
Examples of these blockset are presented in Fig. 6.
where Ab is the heat transfer area, αt is the overall heat transfer
coefficient and ΔTxb is given by Feed water stream Feed water stream
(Ff,Pf,Tf,Cf) (Ff,Pf,Tf,Cf)

ΔTxb = (T f − Tb ) / ln ⎡⎣ (Ta − Tb ) (Ta − T f ) ⎤⎦ .

Permeate stream Permeate stream
(9) Pressure (Fp,Pp,Tp,Cp) Pressure (Fp,Pp,Tp,Cp)
at brine at brine
line exit line exit
Ta is the ambient temperature outside the unit. Pressure
RO Module
Pressure
RO Module

at permeate at permeate
line exit Brine stream line exit Brine stream
D. Modeling the permeate side (Fb,Pb,Tb,Cb) (Fb,Pb,Tb,Cb)
IC IC
For the permeate side, following equations are obtained:
RO Unit (hollow-fiber module) RO Unit (spiral wound module)
dm p dt = Fm − Fp = 0 , (10)
T
dC p dt = Fm (Cm − C p ) m p ,
Library
(11) Valve
travel (x)
F(x)
Valve
opening
of seawater Prop
Library
of heat exchangers
C properties
dp p dt = (1/ Lm )[− pb + φm qm ] , (12)
Valves Seawater Properties Heat exchangers

dT p dt = 1 m p ⎡⎣ Fm (Tm − Tp ) − Q p C *
p, p
⎤⎦ , (13) 1
Feed water stream
Feed water stream
(Ff,Pf,Tf,Cf)

where C*p, p is the average specific heat capacity of permeate

(Ff, Pf, Tf, Cf)

Membrane
stream

that can also be calculated from [7]. The heat flow rate Q p (t) (Fm,Pm,Tm,Cm)
Brine
Subsystem
Brine
stream 2
Pressure (Fb,Pb,Tb,Cb) Brine stream

represents heat losses in the permeate side and it is calculated 2

Pressure at
at brine
line exit
(Fb, Pb, Tb, Cb)

brine line exit

similarly as for the heat losses in the brine, i.e. 4 IC Pressure at

Permeate Subsystem

IC

Q = α A ΔT ,
permeat line exit

(14) 3 Pressure
Brine Subsystem at permeate line exit
p t p xp Permeate
Permeate 1
stream
where Ap is the heat transfer area, αt is the overall heat transfer
Subsystem
(Fp,Pp,Tp,Cp) Permeate stream
Feed water Membrane (Fp, Pp, Tp, Cp)
Membrane Membrane stream
stream stream
coefficient and ΔTxp is given by
Subsystem (Fm,Pm,Tm,Cm)
(Ff,Pf,Tf,Cf) (Fm,Pm,Tm,Cm)

ΔTxp = (Tm − T p ) / ln ⎡⎣ (Ta − Tm ) (Ta − T p ) ⎤⎦ . (15)

Hollow-Fiber Membrane
Subsystem

Brine Subsystem
Ta has been defined above. [Ff ]
[Pf ]
1
Feed Water
[Tf ] Kbo Fb
E. Modeling the membrane Stream [Cf ] sqrt

3
1
For the membrane, special equations are used from the [Fm]
[Pm]
Momentum Balance Pob
Brine stream
(Fb, Pb, Tb, Cb)
l/Lb pb
solution-diffusion model for hollow-fiber modules, namely
2 [Pf ] 1
[Tm]
Permeate [ICp] xo s
Stream [Cm]
Mass Balance Phi

tanh( Hl ) mb
Fm = Aρ p ( Δp − Δπ * ) + B [C f − C p ]
[Ff ] 1

(16) [ICm] [ICm] xos [mb]

H + H 2 ls tanh( Hl )
[Fm]
4
[ICp] Energy Balance
[ICT] [mb]
IC [Ff ]
[ICc] 1 Tb
with [Tf ]
[ICT] xos

[Tb]
T − T0 T −T0 [Tf ] Tf
aT bT [Ff]

A = A0 e T
, B = B0 e T
. (17)
[Tb] Tb
Qp [Tp]
[Tm] Tp
Ta Ta
Specif ic Heat T
Heat Excahge Capacity
where A0 and B0 are membrane coefficients at the reference
Cp
of Seaw ater C
Cp of Seaw ater
Concentration Balance
temperature T0 = 291K. aT and bT are dimensionless empirical [Ff] [mb] Cb

membrane constants. Δπ∗ is the average osmotic pressure,

1
[ICc] xo s

[Cb]

which is given by Δπ * = π b* − π *p , where

[Cf ]

[Ff]
[Cm]

π i* = 0.5 RC i Ti [2 − PRR ] /[1 − PRR ] .
R is the universal gas constant and PRR (Permeate Recovery
Rate) is computed as the quotient between permeate and brine
volumetric flow rates in percent (100% qb/qp). Finally, l is
the fiber length, ls the adhered fiber length and H is obtained from
(18) Fig. 6. Selected blocks from the Desalination blockset
The block diagram for the system simulation has been designed
following exactly the plant decomposition scheme. Moreover, it
is color coded (blue for permeate, green for feed water and brine
and orange for the membrane). Notice that subsystems are also

4857
 FrA19.3

built from other blocks as it is illustrated in Fig. 6. In the Constant feed

Permeate flow rate
water flow rate
deep level, it is necessary to dispose of blocks for water and
Permeate concentration
saltwater properties and their correlations as well as blocks for Variable feed RO Unit
the heat transfer coefficients and for the controllers. water temperature
Brine flux
Variable
VI. SIMULATION RESULTS valve opening
Fig. 7. Plant configuration for the open-loop simulation experiments
In order to carry out simulation experiments, a plant based
The first experiment consists in analysing the permeate flow rate
on a DuPont Permasep® B-9 hollow fiber permeator was
and concentration for a given feed water temperature (18 °C) and
designed. In Table III, parameters for the plant as well as the
different valve openings (between 10% and 100%). As it is
module are summarized.
TABLE III possible to observe in Fig. 8, the permeate flow rate increases
PARAMETERS OF A REAL MODULE FOR THE SIMULATED RO PLANT when the valve is becoming closed (i.e. increasing of the trans-
PARAMETER OF THE RO UNIT B9 membrane pressure) and simultaneously decreases its salt
Membrane area S 180 m2 concentration improving in this way the water quality.
-6
External diameter of a fiber de 84·10 m Since the permeate concentration is directly proportional to
Internal diameter of a fiber di 42·10-6 m conductivity for a given temperature, it is possible to compare
External diameter of fiber bundle 10.668·10-2 m these results with those obtained for the transfer functions of [14]
Internal diameter of fiber bundle 2.54·10-2 m and [15] (Fig. 3). Thus, similar results are verified for permeate
Fiber length l 0.75 m flow rate. However, Cp shows minimum phase behaviour so that
Length of permeate tubes 1.0 m the proposed model is qualitatively comparable with the model of
Number of tubes nf 9·105
Length of feed tubes 2.0 m
[15] but not with the model of [14].
Permeate flow rate qp [m3/h]
Length of brine tubes 2.0 m 0.4
α: Valve opening
Membrane constant A0 5.501·10-7 m/(s Pa) α = 10 %
Tf: Feed water temp.: 18°C α = 30 %
Membrane constant B0 1.82·10-5 m/(s Pa) 0.3
Membrane constant aT 3.0 α = 50 %
Membrane constant bT 3.08 0.2
α = 80 %
Osmotic coefficient kosm 1.3333
0.1 α = 90 %
2
Heat transfer coeficient αt 21.12 W/(m °K) α = 100 %
Heat transfer area Aht 1.2 m2 00 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 t [m] 3.0
Maximum admitted salt concentration Cfmax 35 kg/bar h Permeate concentration Cp [g/kg]
Maximum water temperature Tfmax 95 °C 1.0
α: Valve opening
α = 100 %
Minimum water temperature Tfmin 4 °C 0.8 Tf: Feed water temp.: 18°C
Maximum admitted pressure pfmax 44·105 Pa
0.6
PROPERTIES OF FEED WATER α = 90 %
0.4 α = 80 %
Viscosity ηb 0.001 kg/(m s)
Reference temperature T0 293 °C 0.2 α = 50 %
Density ρf 1000 kg/m3 α = 30 % α = 10 %
0
pH value pH 7.4 0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 t [m] 3.0
NH4 0.0 mg/L Fig. 8. Permeate flow rate and concentration for different valve opening at
K 390 mg/L constant temperature of feed water
Na 2563.06 mg/L
Mg 325.0 mg/L Notice that the obtained results are valid for a given feed water
Ca 410.0 mg/L temperature (18°C in this case), which is assumed to be constant.
Sr 5.0 mg/L For the experimental models no information about that temperature
Ba 0.05 mg/L is given and therefore a more detailed comparison is not possible.
CO3 1.077 mg/L
HCO3 152.0 mg/L If the temperature of the feed water changes additional experiments
NO3 0.70 mg/L can be carried as it is described in the following, but the results can
Cl 5152.063 mg/L not be compared with Fig. 3.
F 1.40 mg/L
A second experiment was to maintain constant the valve
SO4 1000.62 mg/L
PROPERTIES OF THE RO PLANT
opening at 50% and then to modify the feed water temperature
Maximum pump pressure 30·105 Pa between 15 and 23°C. Fig. 9 shows that an increment of this
Maximum pump flow rate 1.33 m3/h temperature leads to a growth of the permeate flow rate. On the
Nominal pump pressure 10·105 Pa other hand, an increment of the feed water temperature yields
Valve constant Kbo 0.02 Kg/(Pa s) a modification in the membrane coefficients and therefore the
Delay time to fill the module with water 20 s permeate concentration first grows. However, it tends to decrease
A simple open-loop simulation scheme according to Fig. 7 later because more permeate is produced. The dependence
was implemented in SimulinkTM using the blockset described between permeate flow rate and concentration with respect to
in the section before ([9]). temperature are given by eqs. (16) and (17).

4858
 FrA19.3

Finally, valve opening and feed water temperature are changed was implemented and a RO plant using the parameters of a RO
dynamically as it shows Fig. 10. Hence, it is possible to module of the company DuPont was simulated. Simulation
observe that the permeate flow rate increases almost linearly while results show that the model behaves qualitatively similar to a
permeate salt concentration decreases exponentially with the feed real plant. This is a promising result if it is taken into account
water temperature. A similar effect produces a continuously that the model was simplified to obtain lumped parameters
closing of the discharge valve between 100 and 50%. by integrating the spatial equations only in one direction.
Permeate flow rate qp [m3/h] However, this model can be considered a first step in the
0.7
α: Valve opening: 50 % modeling of RO plants and it will be refined in the near
0.6
Tf: Feed water temp. Tf = 23°C future, for example to include the dynamic behavior of pH-
0.5
Tf = 21°C value. Moreover, parameter estimation has to be carried out
0.4
in order to adjust the model to a real plant.
0.3 Tf = 19°C

0.2 Tf = 17°C REFERENCES

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0.8 reverse osmosis desalination,” Desalination, 75, 119–140, 1989.
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Tf = 15°C Tf: Feed water temp. [3] Al-Bastaki, N. M. and A. Abbas, Modeling an industrial reverse osmosis
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0
0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 t [m] 3.0 Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1992.
Fig. 9. Permeate flow rate and concentration for different feed water temperatures [6] Buros, O., K. The ABCs of Desalting The ABCs of Desalting. Edited
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1.0
[7] Hömig, H. E., Seawater and seawater distillation. Vulkan Verlag, Essen, 1978.
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VII. CONCLUSIONS
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