EWM Solar Desalination Systems integrate reverse osmosis with advanced energy recovery technology to deliver the most energy-efficient solar desalination process available.
What is Reverse Osmosis Desalination?
Reverse osmosis desalination converts seawater or brackish water into fresh, drinkable water. This process involves pushing seawater through a fine membrane that filters out salt, sediment, and contaminants, yielding clean water for drinking, washing, and more.
The Drawbacks of Conventional Desalination Systems
EWM solar desalination systems address these issues with modern technology, making desalination a viable, sustainable, and reliable option for both the general public and local governments.
Three standout features of our solar-powered desalination systems:
- Energy Recovery Technology: Saves up to 70% of energy.
- Chemical-Free Treatment: No chemicals required for water purification.
- Effortless Operation & Maintenance: Designed for ease and simplicity.
The EWM Solar Desalination Process
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how our system is engineered to desalinate seawater!
Source Water Intake and Pre-Treatment
We begin by selecting a saltwater source without disrupting the marine environment—whether it’s a beach well, open ocean intake, or borehole. The intake pump continuously draws seawater or brackish water into the system, where a pre-treatment phase removes sand and larger particles through periodic backwashing.
Solar Desalination
During reverse osmosis, saltwater is forced through a permeable membrane to separate salt, bacteria, and viruses down to 0.0001 microns, producing clean water. We employ a high pressure of 50 bar (725 psi) to maximise efficiency.
Energy Recovery
The hydraulic energy from the reverse osmosis process is captured and reused to pressurise the feed water, significantly reducing the plant’s energy consumption. This innovation makes our solar desalination process highly energy-efficient and cost-effective.
Remineralisation
Filtered water is then remineralised to enhance taste and reduce aggressiveness.
Water Storage
Purified water is stored in a tank, which could be an underground cistern, plastic tank, or corrugated coated tank. The system automatically restarts when water levels drop below full capacity, ensuring a continuous supply of fresh water.
Post-treatment
If needed, additional UV, cartridge, or active-carbon filter treatments can be added to eliminate bacterial growth during storage and distribution, giving you fresh water whenever you need it.
Remote Control
Our solar desalination unit includes GSM-based monitoring for remote control and alarm notifications. Stay informed about water levels and manage your system from anywhere. An online remote monitoring portal is available upon request.
Innovative Energy Recovery Technology
Our unique Energy Recovery Technology enables EWM systems to use 70% less electricity than traditional desalination methods by reusing the saltwater flow from the reverse osmosis process. This saves 7 kWh per cubic metre of water produced and requires no maintenance.
Though this technology is typically used for large-scale applications, EWM offers solutions designed for smaller residential and commercial settings.
Why Switch to Solar Desalination?
EWM’s solar desalination systems are pioneering in their operation, functioning 24/7 without batteries. They are compatible with any local electricity supply—whether 50 or 60 Hz, single or three-phase, across various global voltages—ensuring efficient operation and lower energy costs.
Supporting capacities between 5-150 m³ or 1,300-40,000 gallons per day, our solar desalination process achieves outstanding energy efficiency at approximately 2.7 kWh/m³ for seawater desalination. Our range of sizes ensures that larger systems offer reduced desalination costs.
We are proud distributors of EWM systems in New Zealand, Australia, and the Pacific Islands. Contact us today to learn more and get a quote. Our expert team is ready to answer your questions and assist you with your next water desalination project. We cater to projects at all scales, from residential to local councils. You can also call +64 (9) 872 2622 or email info@bluemont.nz.