Integration of direct contact membrane distillation and recirculating cooling water system for pure water production

A novel cleaner production technology (CPT) using waste heat for pure water production was established by integration of direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) and traditional recirculating cooling water (RCW) process. The effect of temperature difference and flow rate of fluid between the hot and cold sides in a membrane module on the membrane flux was investigated. The results of the study show that the membrane flux increases with an increase in the flow rate in both hot and cold sides and also increases linearly with the increase in fluid temperature difference between the hot and cold sides of the membrane module. Waste heat was utilized for pure water production, which will reduce the pure water production cost. The employment of DCMD in the RCW process may also reduce the amount of scale and corrosion inhibition additives needed in the CPT, the makeup water and blowdown quantity.