Strategies to prevent silica fouling reducing costs in BWRO systems: Case study for 18,000m3/Day BWRO plant in Arica Chile

IMPACT OF OPERATIONAL STRATEGIES TO PREVENT SILICA FOULING IN REDUCING COSTS IN BWRO SYSTEMS: CASE STUDY FOR ARICA 18,000M3/DAY BWRO PLANT IN CHILE.In this paper cost savings of operational strategies adopted in Arica Desalination plant are calculated and presented. The importance of operational practices in reducing energy consumption is demonstrated. The use of actual silica inhibition and cleaning strategies shows that membrane desalination in very poor quality waters can be a cost effective affordable solution. Results show a significant reduction in cleaning frequency from more than six per year to once per year and reductions in energy consumption of 0.06kWh/m?.