Despite the fact that more than 70 % of the globe is covered by water, only 1% of the water is drinkable. According to the UN, water scarcity is one of the major challenges facing the world today and tomorrow.
The call for solutions to water scarcity is urgent, and reverse osmosis is seen as one of the most effective solutions to solve the challenge. The process, which turns seawater into fresh water, is simple and more efficient than other desalination methods.
The process of pumping large amounts of seawater through desalination membranes is highly energy intensive. In recent years, however, the increasing focus on climate change and energy efficiency have brought new pumping solutions to the forefront, notably the use of positive displacement pumps with energy recoverydevices and AC drives.
For the past ten years, the number of SWRO plants using positive displacement pumps with energy recovery and AC drive has grown significantly. The systems have proven to outperform the traditional centrifugal pumps on most operational parameters, returning efficiency rates up to 92 % and energy savings up to 65 %.
By combining high-pressure pumps, AC drives, energy recovery devices, and pressure transmitters, Danfoss offers desalination solutions that return 65% energy savings compared to plants operating centrifugal pumps without energy recovery and AC drive.
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As global demand for lithium, magnesium, and food-grade salt surges, brine mining is emerging as a less environmentally disruptive alternative to conventional mining. But brine valorization is only economically viable if energy use and system complexity are kept in check.Danfoss APP pumps and iSave ERDs form the foundation of ultra-energy-efficient SWRO and OARO systems. They deliver the precise, stable high-pressure performance needed to make brine valorization commercially and environmentally feasible.
The global water challenges call for innovative solutions. Desalination is fast becoming a leading technology to transform sea water into clean fresh water for multiple purposes.