Our team designed and constructed a small-scale desalination unit using reverse osmosis. The system is designed to remove total dissolved solids (TDS) from saltwater by applying pressure to feed water, forcing it through a semi-permeable membrane. This process, known as reverse osmosis, separates the water into two streams: permeate (fresh) water and retentate (concentrated brine) water. The system is capable of operating at a maximum allowable working pressure (MAWP) of 200 psi, with an estimated permeate recovery of 8 percent. The unit is controlled by a programmable logic controller (PLC), which regulates the state of the two pumps used to move feed water from the reservoir through the system. Our poster illustrates the mechanical and electrical process flow of the system, while outlining the objectives and the conclusion.
