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The Brazilian experience with a photovoltaic powered reverse osmosis plant

  1. Paulo Cesar Marques de Carvalho1,*,
  2. Douglas Bressan Riffel1,
  3. Cristiano Freire2,
  4. Francisco Fabio Damasceno Montenegro3

Article first published online: 23 JUL 2004

DOI: 10.1002/pip.543

Issue

Progress in Photovoltaics: Research and Applications

Progress in Photovoltaics: Research and Applications

Volume 12, Issue 5, pages 373–385, August 2004

Additional Information

How to Cite

de Carvalho, P. C. M., Riffel, D. B., Freire, C. and Montenegro, F. F. D. (2004), The Brazilian experience with a photovoltaic powered reverse osmosis plant. Progress in Photovoltaics: Research and Applications, 12: 373–385. doi: 10.1002/pip.543

Author Information

  1. 1

    DEE–UFC, Caixa Postal 6001/60.455-760, Fortaleza CE, Brasil

  2. 2

    ARCE, Fortaleza CE, Brasil

  3. 3

    CEFET Ceará, Fortaleza CE, Brasil

*DEE–UFC, Caixa Postal 6001/60.455-760, Fortaleza CE, Brasil.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 23 JUL 2004
  2. Article first published online: 23 JUL 2004
  3. Manuscript Revised: 3 DEC 2003
  4. Manuscript Received: 18 JUL 2003

Funded by

  • Banco do Nordeste, Brasil
  • CNPq Brasil

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Keywords:

  • photovoltaic;
  • reverse osmosis;
  • desalination

Abstract

This article describes a system that combines the technologies of reverse osmosis and photovoltaics to realize a pioneer project for drinking water supply to a rural community in semi-arid Brazil (latitude 3°44′S), with a local yearly average temperature of 28°C and a yearly solar potential of about 2000 kW h m−2. Two strategies are investigated: first the PV-RO (photovoltaic powered reverse osmosis) plant is equipped with a DC motor; and second, a three-phase induction motor is used. Through the analysis of the stored data the second option is chosen as the better alternative. This strategy has a specific electrical consumption (energy required to produce 1 m3 drinking water) of 3·03 kW h m−3, a recovery ratio of 27% (relation between drinking water product flow and brackish water input flow) and a drinking water cost of US$ 12·76 per m3. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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