Desalination, 38 (1981) 399 E%evier Scientific Publi@ing Company, Amsterdam 7 L’rinted in The Netherlands

THE PERFORMANCE OF THE 12,000 m3/DAY SEAWATER RO PLANT AT JEDDAH,

SAUDI ARABIA

Ali M. El-Nashar and I. Kutbi

Depmtmem or I-leckznicaZ .%zg-Cneering, FZoricia Institute o,f TechnoZogy -

f4eZIboume, FL, U.S.A.

ABSTRACT

This paper outlines the performance of the 12,000 m3/day seawater RO

plant at Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The plant started operation in February

1979 and has been operating since then. The feedwater to the plant has a

TDS of 42,000 ppm and the maximum seawater temperature is 32OC. The plant

is made up of a first and a second stage. The first stage includes nine

units, eight operating and one stand-by, and the second stage containes

three units. The nine first stage and the three second stage RO units are

each composed of 56 Fiberglass pressure tubes (Model 66 FRP-6) 150 mm

diameter by 6.5 m long, each containing six spiral wound elements manufactur-

ed hy UOP Fluid Systems Division. The plant uses Fluid System's polyamide

thin film composite membrane element. Model 1501 TFC. The pretreatment is

composed of dual media filtration, acid injectibn, sodium hexametaphosphate

injection and cartridge filtration.

The performance from the start of operation till. the present time is

shown both for the overall plant and for each unit. The product rate of

each unit and its water quality throughout its operating period is indicated

showing the times when the unit was shut-down and the reason for it. Dete-

rioration in unit performance is analyzed and explained. Actual plant cons-

umption of fuel and chemicals is given and estimates of the plant operating

costs are made.

399