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Largest Gulf SWRO Desalination Facility Starts Up – 113,000 m3/d Plant Achieves 2.47 kW•hr/m3 Energy Rate with PEI’s AT 4800 Hydraulic Turbochargers

Posted 03/10/08

Pump Engineering AT 4800 and Union Pump DB 30 single stage pump

The AT 4800 Hydraulic Turbochargers provide energy recovery to the largest SWRO plant in the Arabian Gulf and as such is being watched by the entire industry as a harbinger of the future of RO desalination in the Gulf. Kevin Terrasi, Pump Engineering’s Vice President reported that the all nine AT 4800 Hydraulic Turbochargers were successfully commissioned in mid to late 2007. He noted that all units started up and remain in operation without any problems. The plant’s performance was measured at late fall conditions with a feed salinity of 67,000 uS at a temperature of 25ºC. The plant’s design-recovery ratio is 40%, while actual recovery at the time of commissioning was 42%. Membrane pressure was 58 bar (841 psig). Although the pump and turbochargers were operating at off design conditions, the average train production of 493 m3/hr (2,170 gpm) of permeate was achieved at a high pressure pump power of 1,222 kW or 2.47 kW•hr/m3 Specific Energy Consumption. This SEC figure is comparable to what large isobaric equipped SWRO plants have achieved in Israel and Australia.

This plant is located in the energy and desalination complex that provides Dubai with most of its power and water. In discussing the installation, Kevin pointed out that the extremely small footprint of the Turbo and its ability to be placed in the most convenient location allowed for an estimated 15 – 20% reduction in floor space as compared to a similar sized plant using impulse turbines or isobaric energy recovery systems. Because of the very large turbo boost pressure, single stage Union Pump Company’s DB 30 pumps were used for the high pressure service. The use of single stage pumps provided significant initial capital cost savings, increased reliability, and reduced maintenance costs as compared to multistage pump installations. The DB 30 pumps operating at full membrane flow, but one half membrane pressure, were about 5 – 7% more efficient than pumps typically used with isobaric devices in similar sized plants.

Commenting on the commissioning results, Roy Radakovich, CEO of Pump Engineering,
said that the start up of the AT 4800 Turbochargers represented an important
development in energy recovery for large SWRO plants in that it validates that the Advanced Technology Turbo has eliminated the efficiency gap between turbine-based energy recovery systems and isobaric energy recovery schemes.

Now, large SWRO plants can achieve low specific energy consumption with much lower capital and operating costs and can enjoy the benefits of easy compact installation, simple operation, smooth pulsation free flow, and high reliability.

Pump Engineering has been a leader in energy recovery devices for desalination and other industries for over 20 years. With PEI devices in operation in more water recovery trains than any other supplier, its low Total Life Cycle Cost approach has proven meaningful for both small and large applications worldwide. For more information contact PEI at: sales@pumpengineering.com or (011) 734-242-1772.