Energy and Membrane Desalination: Reduction and Recovery in a historical perspective

The use of devices for the recovery of pumping energy for the membrane desalination process, and the general reduction of total system energy consumption, has been of topical importance since the first seawater desalination membrane systems were introduced in the latter half of the 20th century. This paper will attempt to create a picture of the advances in the reduction of the energy cost of these systems over time.