Improved industrial water management through membrane processes - the case of a large thermo-electric power plant

Advanced membrane technology can significantly improve water management in large, land-locked power plants such as the Agios Dimitrios Power Station in Northern Greece. A review of the present water treatment facilities and of water requirements in this power station was carried out, to identify potential areas of improvement. Six alternative designs were studied, which included membrane treatment and recycling of industrial wastewater as well as membrane treatment of at least part of raw feed-water, in order to determine the most attractive ones. It was shown that membrane processes can improve water management, resulting in significant reduction of required raw water and in reduced total annual treatment cost. Other potential benefits of a membrane based water treatment plant include better and more stable quality of water produced as well as an extra assurance that the power station can better cope with future raw water limitations due to natural or legislative reasons. Out of the six alternative designs considered, the most attractive ones are identified using economic and environmental criteria.