VARIO-RO (Trade Mark) Desalting Pilot Plant Advancement Project Testing andEvaluation

摘要

This pilot plant project was directed toward combining the VARI-RO Direct DriveEngine (VRO-DDE) technology with the highly efficient VARI-RO Integrated Pumping and Energy Recovery (VRO-IPER) system for reverse osmosis (RO) desalting. The engine technology provides the capability to use direct thermal power to replace more expensive electric power. The ways that the VRO-DDE technology reduces desalting cost, and environmental impact includes the following: (1) use of RO, the most energy efficient desalination process; (2) use of efficient positive displacement pumping and energy recovery; (3) use of thermal energy sources that are lower cost than electricity; and (4) the low emissions use of these lower cost thermal energy sources. This technology (patents issued and pending) will make desalination a reliable, cost effective method to augment natural water sources; and help to mitigate water shortages in many locations in the U.S. and other regions of the world. This technological advancement has resulted from the innovative cross-fertilization of the following technologies: modern hydraulic power transmission, computer control, desalting processes, and recuperative Brayton cycle thermal energy conversion.