A control system includes one or more levels of control of power and energy. At one level, a first controller optimally divides power between two or more processes, to maximize instantaneous production, for a given amount of currently available power. In the case of EDR desalination, electric power is optimally divided between ion exchange membranes and pumps to maximize instantaneous production of desalinated water for a given amount of available electric power. Optionally, at another level, a second controller divides time-varying power between the processes fed by the first level controller and an energy storage unit, based on a prediction of future power availability and a function. In the EDR case, power generated by a photovoltaic array is divided between the EDR desalination process and a battery, based on a prediction of future PV power availability and a function, to ensure reliable water production in the future.

A two-stage filter enclosed within a single vessel is provided. The two-stage filter is provided in the form of the vessel having a first filtration stage configured to capture particles of a first size, and a second filtration stage downstream of the first filtration stage and in fluid communication with the first filtration stage configured to capture particles of a second size, wherein the first size is larger than the second size. The first filtration stage may comprise a porous media. The second filtration stage may comprise one or more membrane filters.

A method of desalinating water, including the steps of when electricity costs between a first predetermined price and a second predetermined price, fill water is pumped into a reverse osmosis desalination unit to yield desalinated permeate and saltwater having a first salinity, when electricity costs less than the first predetermined price, fill water is pumped into a reverse osmosis desalination unit to yield desalinated permeate and saltwater having a second salinity, and when electricity costs greater than the second predetermined price, pure water is flowed into a reverse osmosis unit to yield pressurized saltwater which is run through a turbine to generate electricity. The first salinity is lower than the second salinity.

Apparatus and processes for controlling a reverse osmosis system for water desalination to reduce energy consumption. The system has a controller configured to receive information from the sensor array and determine a fouling parameter for each reverse-osmosis stage based on one or more of: an A-Value, a B-value and a normalized differential pressure. The controller is then configured to control the flow through each of the reverse-osmosis assemblies based on the determined fouling parameters to meet a predetermined criterion for total permeate production for the reverse-osmosis system.

A filtering time control method includes testing water quality to obtain a water quality status value, determining whether a current filtration meets requirements. Based on whether the current filtration meets the requirements, setting a duration of the next filtering based on the current filtration duration. Adaptive adjustment of the duration of filtration may ensure a filtering effect while saving water resources.

The present invention relates to a crossflow filtration method, a method for obtaining at least one crossflow filtration parameter and a system for obtaining at least one crossflow filtration parameter.

A method of filtering a large volume of a medium using a pre-sterilizable, at least partially automated single-use filtration device which includes an unfiltrate inlet, a filtrate outlet, a main line running between the unfiltrate inlet and the filtrate outlet, filter elements arranged in the main line, a venting line and sensors for detecting specific process parameters and regulating means for adjusting specific process parameters, wherein the sensors and regulating means are connected to an external monitoring and control system which is adapted for evaluating and processing sensor data and for piloting the regulating means based on one or more control algorithms, comprises the following process steps: a) filling the single-use filtration device with medium with low flow; b) venting the single-use filtration device through the venting line; c) closing the venting line; d) rinsing the single-use filtration device, in particular the filter elements; e) filtering the medium by means of the filter elements; f) re-rinsing with high flow; and g) closing the main line; wherein the process steps f) and g) are optional.

A method and apparatus for evaluating a condition of a water purification system (40, 110) comprising a water purification apparatus (110) arranged to output purified water through an outlet (128) and through at least one sterilizing grade filter (70a, 70b) of a line set (40) fluidly connected to the outlet (128), the method comprises: monitoring a flow rate (S1) correlated with the flow rate of the purified water flowing through the at least one sterilizing grade filter (70a, 70b); monitoring a pressure (S2) correlated with the pressure of the purified water flowing to the at least one sterilizing grade filter (70a, 70b); and evaluating (S3) a condition of the water purification system based on a relationship between the monitored flow rate and the monitored pressure.

A filter device includes one or more filter membranes, and a filter housing enclosing the one or more filter membranes. Each of the filter membranes includes a base membrane made of a ceramic material, and a plurality of through holes. The base membrane is coated with a coating material.

A method for operating a separation membrane module including identifying a clogged portion of the separation membrane module based on a resistance of a lower portion of the separation membrane module, a filtration resistance of a separation membrane portion, and a resistance of an upper portion of the separation membrane module, in a water production system for obtaining treated water by filtering water-to-be-treated with the separation membrane module.