Small-scale wind-powered seawater desalination without batteries.

Potable water is a commodity taken for granted by many in modem society. In places where it is not naturally available, it is usually produced by adequate processing of the supply from other sources, as is the case with seawater desalination. Such processes require an energy supply, which just as well may not exist at many of these locations. In view of the above, this w~rk focuses on the study of two well-established technologies and their integration: water desalination by Reverse Osmosis (RO) and electricity generation using Wind Energy. Based on the premise that no energy backup or storage devices would be employed, two alternative wind-powered RO system configurations are proposed. Their components are individually described and modelled. Control strategies are devised for both systems, aiming at making the best possible use of the energy available. The expected performances of both systems are assessed through simulation of computer models. Based on the simulated performance results, one of the systems is chosen for further development. A prototype system is built and experimental tests carried out. The design of the prototype is detailed and the results obtained are presented. In the light of these results, the developed model is validated and the viability of the system is discussed. Finally, practical implementation issues are discussed; a case study is introduced, including performance predictions and a simplified economic analysis presented.