Membrane processes in energy supply for an osmotic power plant

Karen Gerstandt; K. V. Peinemann; Stein Erik Skilhagen; Thor Thorsen; Torleif Holt

doi:10.1016/j.desal.2007.02.080

Membrane processes in energy supply for an osmotic power plant

Karen Gerstandt, K. V. Peinemann^*, Stein Erik Skilhagen, Thor Thorsen, Torleif Holt

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

306 Scopus citations

Abstract

The idea to generate power through osmosis between river and ocean water has been known since the 1970s. The potential power that can be produced worldwide through osmotic power is estimated to be 1600 TWh/a. But due to inefficient membranes, little effort has been put into research for this type of renewable ocean energy. In 2001, Statkraft, one of the major energy providers in Norway, invited GKSS-Forschungszentrum to develop a suitable osmosis membrane for pressure-retarded osmosis (PRO). Two different types of membranes were optimised: thinfilm composites (TFC) and asymmetric cellulose acetate. To make PRO profitable, the power density of the membrane was determined to be between 4-6 W/m². Starting with power production from 0.1 W/m² for the TFC membrane, a power density of 3.5 W/m² with a potential of 5 W/m² was measured. The starting value for the CA-type was approximately 0.5 W/m², and the best measured performance was 1.3 W/m². However, if it is possible to improve PRO membranes further, PRO will move to the idea of a profitable application, generating green, emission-free energy.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	64-70
Number of pages	7
Journal	Desalination
Volume	224
Issue number	1-3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2007.02.080
State	Published - Apr 15 2008
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

Osmotic power
PRO membrane

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Chemistry
General Chemical Engineering
General Materials Science
Water Science and Technology
Mechanical Engineering

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

10.1016/j.desal.2007.02.080

Cite this

@article{f3d2a0c72ad64fe1a8f8648a1d1c7da1,

title = "Membrane processes in energy supply for an osmotic power plant",

abstract = "The idea to generate power through osmosis between river and ocean water has been known since the 1970s. The potential power that can be produced worldwide through osmotic power is estimated to be 1600 TWh/a. But due to inefficient membranes, little effort has been put into research for this type of renewable ocean energy. In 2001, Statkraft, one of the major energy providers in Norway, invited GKSS-Forschungszentrum to develop a suitable osmosis membrane for pressure-retarded osmosis (PRO). Two different types of membranes were optimised: thinfilm composites (TFC) and asymmetric cellulose acetate. To make PRO profitable, the power density of the membrane was determined to be between 4-6 W/m2. Starting with power production from 0.1 W/m2 for the TFC membrane, a power density of 3.5 W/m2 with a potential of 5 W/m2 was measured. The starting value for the CA-type was approximately 0.5 W/m2, and the best measured performance was 1.3 W/m2. However, if it is possible to improve PRO membranes further, PRO will move to the idea of a profitable application, generating green, emission-free energy.",

keywords = "Osmotic power, PRO membrane",

author = "Karen Gerstandt and Peinemann, {K. V.} and Skilhagen, {Stein Erik} and Thor Thorsen and Torleif Holt",

year = "2008",

month = apr,

day = "15",

doi = "10.1016/j.desal.2007.02.080",

language = "English (US)",

volume = "224",

pages = "64--70",

journal = "Desalination",

issn = "0011-9164",

publisher = "Elsevier B.V.",

number = "1-3",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Membrane processes in energy supply for an osmotic power plant

AU - Gerstandt, Karen

AU - Peinemann, K. V.

AU - Skilhagen, Stein Erik

AU - Thorsen, Thor

AU - Holt, Torleif

PY - 2008/4/15

Y1 - 2008/4/15

N2 - The idea to generate power through osmosis between river and ocean water has been known since the 1970s. The potential power that can be produced worldwide through osmotic power is estimated to be 1600 TWh/a. But due to inefficient membranes, little effort has been put into research for this type of renewable ocean energy. In 2001, Statkraft, one of the major energy providers in Norway, invited GKSS-Forschungszentrum to develop a suitable osmosis membrane for pressure-retarded osmosis (PRO). Two different types of membranes were optimised: thinfilm composites (TFC) and asymmetric cellulose acetate. To make PRO profitable, the power density of the membrane was determined to be between 4-6 W/m2. Starting with power production from 0.1 W/m2 for the TFC membrane, a power density of 3.5 W/m2 with a potential of 5 W/m2 was measured. The starting value for the CA-type was approximately 0.5 W/m2, and the best measured performance was 1.3 W/m2. However, if it is possible to improve PRO membranes further, PRO will move to the idea of a profitable application, generating green, emission-free energy.

AB - The idea to generate power through osmosis between river and ocean water has been known since the 1970s. The potential power that can be produced worldwide through osmotic power is estimated to be 1600 TWh/a. But due to inefficient membranes, little effort has been put into research for this type of renewable ocean energy. In 2001, Statkraft, one of the major energy providers in Norway, invited GKSS-Forschungszentrum to develop a suitable osmosis membrane for pressure-retarded osmosis (PRO). Two different types of membranes were optimised: thinfilm composites (TFC) and asymmetric cellulose acetate. To make PRO profitable, the power density of the membrane was determined to be between 4-6 W/m2. Starting with power production from 0.1 W/m2 for the TFC membrane, a power density of 3.5 W/m2 with a potential of 5 W/m2 was measured. The starting value for the CA-type was approximately 0.5 W/m2, and the best measured performance was 1.3 W/m2. However, if it is possible to improve PRO membranes further, PRO will move to the idea of a profitable application, generating green, emission-free energy.

KW - Osmotic power

KW - PRO membrane

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=38849142454&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.desal.2007.02.080

DO - 10.1016/j.desal.2007.02.080

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:38849142454

SN - 0011-9164

VL - 224

SP - 64

EP - 70

JO - Desalination

JF - Desalination

IS - 1-3

ER -

Membrane processes in energy supply for an osmotic power plant

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Cite this