The role of membrane distillation/crystallization technologies in the integrated membrane system for seawater desalination

Membrane desalination technology has emerged in recent years as the most viable solution to water shortage. However, despite the enormous improvement in membrane desalination technology, some critical developments are still necessary in order to accomplish possible improvements in the process efficiency (increase recovery), operational stability (reduce fouling and scaling problems), environmental impact (reduce brine disposal), water quality (remove harmful substances) and costs. In particular, cost effective and environmentally sensitive concentrate management is today recognized as a significant obstacle to extensive implementation of desalination technologies. As a result of the significant impact of desalination plants on the environment, the requirements for concentrate management tight up: brine disposal minimization and zero liquid discharge (ZLD) are the demanding targets for several applications. In this concept, conventional pressure-driven membranes such as MF, NF and RO were integrated with t...