Modeling A Reverse Osmosis Desalination Plant: A Practical Framework Using Wave Software

Abstract

Seawater desalination is a highly successful and effective method of obtaining fresh water from saline water sources. Reverse osmosis (RO) is a key and pivotal technology in seawater desalination as it produces high-quality freshwater from seawater with low energy consumption, in comparison to alternative technologies. However, the practical modelling of a comprehensive full-scale RO system is challenging due to fluctuating operating conditions stemming from seasonal variations and progressive fouling of the membrane during prolonged filtration operation. This study presents a comprehensive modeling framework for a seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) desalination plant using DuPont’s Water Application Value Engine (WAVE) software. The modeled system integrates ultrafiltration (UF) for pretreatment and ion exchange (IX) polishing for post-treatment, which reflects the actual operational structure of the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront desalination plant in Cape Town, South Africa. The model simulates the hydraulic and separation performance under steady-state conditions, using plant-specific data for feed salinity, pressure, flow rates, and membrane configuration. Results demonstrate the WAVE model’s capability to accurately predict key performance parameters, including permeate flow, energy consumption, recovery rate, and total dissolved solids (TDS) removal. Simulated results indicate improved recovery (45.7% vs. 31%) and reduced specific energy consumption (5.91 kWh/m³ vs. 6.58 kWh/m³) compared to actual plant data. The study validates the model's predictive accuracy and highlights its application in optimizing system design, minimizing operational costs, and guiding future desalination infrastructure development under varying operational conditions.