A polymer membrane developed at the college water research group has reduced the energy required per cubic metre of desalinated water by roughly a third across a six-month pilot at a regional treatment facility.
Why fouling is the real energy cost
The membrane resists the mineral fouling that normally forces plants to run at higher pressure as filters age, which is where most of the excess energy is spent.
A licensing discussion with two industrial partners is under way, and a larger pilot is planned for next winter.
