The Remote
Area Developments Group (RADG) at Murdoch University in collaboration
with a local manufacturer, Venco Products Pty Ltd have developed a
solar-powered reverse osmosis desalination unit ('Solarflow') specifically
designed for remote areas. Initial research examined several renewable
energy power supply options and due to portability, low maintenance
and an output which matches demand, solar power was selected.
The unit is
available in a 400 litre/day version with two possible recovery ratio
options of 16 or 25% (Solarflow 40016 and Solarflow 40025). It has
been designed to operate from a two panel photovoltaic array with built
in maximiser to keep the solar panels at their optimum voltage of 30
volts. Efficacy can be improved by up to 60 percent with the use of
a solar tracker.
The solar
panels power a DC motor coupled to a high quality industrial gearbox
which is capable of providing sufficient torque to run the unit even
at low currents. The efficiency of the unit is also greatly enhanced
by the novel energy-recovery system which allows the unit to operate
with the minimum number of solar panels: the high pressure reject water
is returned to the back of the piston to reduce the load on motor and
gearbox, rather than going to waste.
The unit has
recently been commercialised with twenty five units presently in operation
through Australia and South East Asia. The 400 litre/day unit has been
designed with small communities of up to 40 people in mind. A unit
capable of meeting the requirements of larger communities of up to
150 people which can provide 1500 litre/day is currently in the prototype
stage and under going performance monitoring before entering commercial
production. The unit has received an energy-efficiency award from the
Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) of Western Australia. The
AEDB have also provided funding for the current research and development
of this project.
Research at
Murdoch University's Environmental Technology Centre (ETC) is currently
underway to determine the performance of the units both under laboratory
and field conditions over the longer term with marginal feed waters.
This will allow an assessment of power supply, maintenance requirements
and membrane life to enable the units to perform reliably in remote
areas.
The Solarflow unit is now
manufactured by Solar Energy Systems
Ltd.
