Desal 101

Desal 101 is a one day course offered to the public that covers the basics of desalination and is taught by BGNDRF staff along with professors from New Mexico State University. The curriculum begins with general information on water scarcity and the need for desalination; then it explores specific desalination technologies, such as reverse osmosis and electrodialysis.

Desal 101 Curriculum Topics Subtopics
Introduction to Desalination
 The Need
Source Water (Non-Traditional Water)
Science of Dissolving Salts
Minimum Theoretical Energy
Process (including Pretreatment and Post Treatment)
Global Application
Reverse Osmosis (RO)
 How It Works
History of Development
Operational Considerations and Monitoring
Various RO Innovation
3 Major Challenges for RO
Electrodialysis (ED)
Explanation of the Concept
Technology Niche
Technology Uses
Various ED Innovations
Sampling of Other Desalination Technologies
 Various Thermal Processes (MSF, MED)
Capacitive Deionization (CapDI)
Forward Osmosis (FO)
Membrance Distillation (MD)
Nanofiltration (NF)
Others
Useful Calculations for Desalination
 Recovery
Salt Rejection
Simulation Programs
Concentrate Management
 The Need and Challenges
Technologies and Processes in Development
Example of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Desalination Plant

Last Updated: 5/8/20