Abstract In this study, we evaluated steady state power generation performance of a bench-scale RED stack with an effective membrane area of 40 m2 under different flow rate conditions using brine discharged from a seawater desalination plant and water discharged from a sewage treatment plant. Constant current operation was enabled to evaluate the steady state power output of the stack as the salt concentration profile inside the stack approached equilibrium. In addition, external current loading allowed for measurements of respective resistance of the stack, including membrane resistance, solution compartment resistance with spacers, and the resistance of each electrode; these measurements allowed for an estimation of the intrinsic stack performance when the electrode resistance was negligible. The evaluation of energy conversion efficiency revealed that 25–66% of the salinity gradient energy (SGE) was consumed in the stack and converted to electricity with a conversion efficiency of 17–26%. Furthermore, energy conversion analysis while considering the SGE loss due to both salt leakage and electrode reaction showed an energy conversion rate of 50%. Finally, the existence of flexible membrane deformation was proposed under different flow rates to obtain higher net power output. The obtained results are promising for use in full-scale RED implementation.

中文翻译：

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利用污水处理和海水反渗透排出的废水的小规模反电渗析堆的发电性能

摘要 在本研究中，我们使用海水淡化厂排放的盐水和污水处理厂排放的水，评估了在不同流速条件下有效膜面积为 40 m2 的台式 RED 电池堆的稳态发电性能。当电池组内的盐浓度分布接近平衡时，启用恒流操作以评估电池组的稳态功率输出。此外，外部电流负载允许测量电池组的各个电阻，包括膜电阻、带隔板的溶液室电阻和每个电极的电阻；当电极电阻可以忽略不计时，这些测量允许估计固有的堆叠性能。能量转换效率的评估表明，25-66% 的盐度梯度能量 (SGE) 在电堆中消耗并转换为电能，转换效率为 17-26%。此外，考虑到由于盐泄漏和电极反应造成的 SGE 损失的能量转换分析表明，能量转换率为 50%。最后，提出了在不同流量下柔性膜变形的存在，以获得更高的净功率输出。获得的结果有望用于全面的 RED 实现。考虑由于盐泄漏和电极反应造成的 SGE 损失的能量转换分析显示能量转换率为 50%。最后，提出了在不同流量下柔性膜变形的存在，以获得更高的净功率输出。获得的结果有望用于全面的 RED 实现。考虑由于盐泄漏和电极反应造成的 SGE 损失的能量转换分析显示能量转换率为 50%。最后，提出了在不同流量下柔性膜变形的存在，以获得更高的净功率输出。获得的结果有望用于全面的 RED 实现。