Annual Report 2006 - Plataforma Solar de Almería

PLATAFORMA SOLAR DE ALMERÍA
dation has a significant impact on the overall efficiency of the process, because
sulfate builds up on TiO 2 causing a progressive deactivation of the catalyst.
However, preliminary studies have shown that regeneration can be
achieved simply by washing with water. A considerable research effort has
been devoted to optimizing the different variables affecting the washing procedure.
In this respect, the influence of pH, stirring speed, temperature and
time have been systematically investigated. The results indicate that increased
temperature and alkalinity of the solution improve the solubility of the
adsorbed sulfate and facilitates regeneration of the photocatalysts. Finally, the
stability of the materials was studied under exposure to sunlight and in a
weathering chamber using standardized procedures. Initial results show that
the polymeric support suffers significant loss of transmission in the UVA and
become brittle due to damage from solar radiation. Consequently, the search
for new ways to protect these supports and to increase their durability will be
approached during the next stages of the project.
4.4 Solar Desalination Group
In the section on activities corresponding to solar desalination, the noteworthy
increase in activity since 2006 should be especially emphasized. Desalination
processes are appearing as a totally necessary alternative in the
face of surface water shortages and over exploitation of aquifers in many areas
of the globe. As desalination is an energy-intensive process, in the current
context of continually rising energy prices and the ever-growing water requirements
due to a large number of factors, but, above all, to worldwide
population growth, the development of solar desalination processes and technologies
is fully justified. Proof of it is the growing interest, not only by a large
number of companies, but also by institutions. For example, suffice it to say
that the European Union 7 th Framework program launched at the end of 2006,
has included the subject of solar desalination as a topic of research under Energy
for the first time.
Another fact to be emphasized in this area of research is that a considerable
part of the activity underway focuses on applications in the Mediterranean
Region in general and North African countries in particular. This fact has
allowed us to enlarge the spectrum of Unit collaboration significantly, by adding
a large number of North African institutions, universities and companies to
the traditional European and Latin American areas of collaboration. This Mediterranean
environment of collaboration will continue growing in the future as
new initiatives and activities currently being negotiated are taken on.
4.4.1 AQUASOL
Enhanced Zero Discharge Seawater Desalination Using Hybrid
Solar Technology
http://www.psa.es/webeng/aquasol/index.html
Participants: CIEMAT-PSA (Coord., E). Inabensa-Solúcar (E). Aosol (P). National
Technical University of Athens (GR). INETI (P). Cajamar
(E). Hellenic Saltworks (GR). Com. Regantes Cuatro Vegas (E).
Entropie (F).
Contact:
Funding:
Dr. J. Blanco, julian.blanco@psa.es
EC (Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development
Programme); 1,500 k€.
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