A new study makes seawater drinkable and a source of energy
Researchers cracked the code on Redox Flow Desalination, providing a sustainable solution to global water scarcity while harnessing affordable renewable energy.
In a world where water scarcity is a pressing issue, researchers at NYU Tandon School of Engineering have unleashed a solution that could redefine our approach to water desalination.
The team, led by Dr. André Taylor, has cracked the code on Redox Flow Desalination (RFD). This electrochemical technique not only turns seawater into drinkable water but also serves as an energy-efficient storage solution for renewable energy.
The research reveals a significant 20 percent improvement in the RFD system’s salt removal rate, coupled with a remarkable reduction in energy demand achieved by optimizing fluid flow rates.
“By seamlessly integrating energy storage and desalination, our vision is to create a sustainable and efficient solution that not only meets the growing demand for freshwater but also champions environmental conservation and renewable energy integration,” said Dr. Taylor in a press release.
The beauty of RFD lies in its versatility. These systems offer a scalable and flexible approach to energy storage, allowing the efficient utilization of intermittent renewable sources like solar and wind.
Additionally, RFD emerges as a beacon of hope in addressing the global water crisis, promising an innovative solution to the escalating demand for potable water.
Significant strides towards sustainable water solutions
Dr. Taylor emphasizes that RFD can reduce reliance on conventional power grids, fostering a transition toward a carbon-neutral and eco-friendly water desalination process. Integrating redox flow batteries with desalination technologies enhances system efficiency and reliability, marking a significant stride towards sustainable water solutions.
The project’s success is credited to Stephen Akwei Maclean, the paper’s first author and a Ph.D. candidate in chemical and biomolecular engineering at NYU Tandon. Maclean’s ingenuity in designing the system architecture, utilizing advanced 3D printing technology at the NYU Maker Space, played a pivotal role in the breakthrough.
Delving into the system’s intricacies, incoming seawater is divided into salinating and desalinating streams through a complex network of channels. These channels, separated by exchange membranes, facilitate electrochemical reactions, resulting in the extraction of Na+ ions and freshwater generation.
Maclean explains the system’s flexibility: “We can control the incoming seawater residence time to produce drinkable water by operating the system in a single pass or batch mode.”
In a reverse operation, where brine and freshwater are mixed, the stored chemical energy can be converted into renewable electricity. Essentially, RFD systems act as a unique form of “battery,” capturing excess energy from solar and wind sources and releasing it on demand, providing a sustainable supplement to other electricity sources.
While further research is needed, the findings from the NYU Tandon team signal a promising avenue towards a more cost-effective RFD process, a crucial advancement in the global quest for increased potable water. With climate change and population growth intensifying, innovative and efficient desalination methods have become more crucial than ever.
Source: interestingengineering.com
