Optimization of Off-grid Photovoltaic Powered Reverse Osmosis System using Response Surface Methodology

This research project analyzes the feasibility of solar energy wastewater treatment concepts in northeastern Morocco, and assesses their economic and environmental viability. In this context, a reverse osmosis treatment system coupled with off-grid solar photovoltaic panels is proposed to provide the purified water to the populations for use in the agricultural sector or industry. Moreover, to further improve the performance of the method under study, the response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the conversion rate and feed flow to reduce energy consumption and to design photovoltaic panels. Three configurations were tested for reverse osmosis; It consists of single-stage and concentrate staging with two and three stages. The results obtained show that the single-stage configuration can be used for a lower conversion rate and a lower feed flow, against the concentrate staging configuration can be used for rich countries that have the financial means and who suffer from water penury because it requires a large number of photovoltaic solar panels.