Electrically Driven Membrane Processes Research Paper

Electrically Driven Membrane Processes - Research Paper Example used for purification of water that does not necessarily require removal of dissolved organic constituents and waters that only requires removal of 3,000 mg/L dissolved solids. Having limited number of rivers to supply fresh water in United Arabs Emirates (UAE), the large amounts of surface water and brackish ground water need to be purified to boost the nation’s fresh water capacity. The UAE government states that drinking water should meet the basic standards set for drinking water. Electrodialysis facilitates wastewater reuse besides providing other myriad economic benefits. Electrodialysis desalting systems are electrically driven and have the capacity to remove high percentage of dissolved salts. According to Loveless, Aamir and Ghaffour, ED systems use membranes that are derived from ion exchange materials and are reinforced by open weave cloth for physical strength (1355). Subjecting the membrane to electrical current makes the solution on one side of the membrane to be partially desalted while that on the other side gets more concentrated hence moving ions from the region of low concentration to highly concentrated region. The present paper is a survey study on the problem of fresh water in UAE and how electrically driven membrane processes can be useful in boosting water supply. Usually, water is a critical resource for human, animal and plant life. However, the biggest percentage of water available contains substances that make it unfit for not only human and animal consumption, but also to support plant life. This survey report was developed as part of the global efforts seeking to shed more light on water re-use and reclamation. The data used was collected over a decade with most of it having been derived from local agencies that plays a role in water recycling. This survey report is strictly designed for educational use and was complied with a view of providing detailed overview of dissolved organic constituents’ management through application of