Implementation of controllers in a demonstration-scale solar membrane distillation plant
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17979/ja-cea.2026.47.13776Keywords:
Process control, Optimal control and operation of water resources systems, Instrumentation and control systems, Control of renewable energy resources, Solar Thermal DesalinationAbstract
Membrane distillation is a promising alternative for the treatment and concentration of brine from reverse osmosis processes, thus helping to improve the sustainability of desalination technologies.
To ensure the stable and efficient operation of this type of plants, it is essential to implement appropriate control strategies in place to regulate the main operating variables.
This paper presents the integration of PID controllers into a demonstration-scale membrane distillation plant located at the Agroconnect facility of the University of Almería (SE of Spain), which is powered by solar thermal energy.
Specifically, it addresses the development and implementation of control strategies for regulating flow rate and temperature, using recently published controllers adapted to the dynamic characteristics of the plant.
The proposed solution has improved the operational stability, facilitated real-time monitoring and provided a flexible and scalable infrastructure for future advanced control strategies.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Aarón-Raúl Poyatos-Bakker, J. A. Andrés-Mañas, Antonio Martínez-Roa, Juan D. Gil, Patricia Palenzuela, Lidia Roca
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