Development of Ultra-Low Energy Reverse Osmosis Process for Solar Photovoltaic

Abstract

In order to improve the performance of the PV panel and recover energy, the current research discusses controlling the temperature of solar PV panels by direct contact heat exchange with flowing feed water to reverse osmosis from the top of the panel. The flow performance of the membrane was enhanced via reverse osmosis at a higher temperature. Additionally, the flow performance was enhanced by the controlled sodium hypochlorite treatment, which changed the membrane's shape and increased its hydrophilicity, as shown by the fall in contact angle from 48.050 to 26.220. Thus, a two-pronged approach to improving the electrical performance of PV panels and enhancing RO permeate flow involved regulating the temperature of the panels through heat transfer and modifying the membrane shape to be more hydrophilic. Reverse osmosis's overall energy usage has thus been lowered by around 40%. This innovative method creates opportunities to drastically lower the total energy uses of brackish water reverse osmosis systems.