The fundamental principles and design considerations for the implementation of centrifugal reverse osmosis

Abstract

The paper describes the fundamental principles of a new desalination technology, centrifugal reverse osmosis (CRO), which offers significant benefits relative to the leading existing desalination technology, conventional reverse osmosis. Relations are developed that quantify the primary benefit of the process, reduced energy consumption, and it is shown that the energy efficiency of the process increases with system capacity. Other benefits are discussed, including lower membrane costs and enhanced reliability. The key technical obstacles to the practical implementation of centrifugal reverse osmosis are identified as well as novel and patented design features which overcome these obstacles. A prototype which incorporates these features has been designed, built and tested aboard the Canadian Forces vessel, the St Anthony. ©IMechE1997.