Solar driven desalination systems based on membrane distillation

New membrane distillation modules and desalination systems were developed which are completely powered by solar energy for stand-alone operation. The membrane distillation modules with heat recovery function need about 100 kWh of thermal energy per m3 of high quality distillate (conductivity as low as 20µS/cm measured). Four 'compact systems' with a capacity of about 100 litres/day and a larger 'twoo loop system' with a capacity of about 1000 litres per day were installed recently.