Large EDR river desalination plant opens in Spain

GE Water and Aigües Ter-Llobregat (ATLL) of Spain announced on 19 May 2009 the opening of the 220,000 m³/d electrodialysis reversal (EDR) brackish water desalination plant on the Llobregat river.

The EDR plant, operated by ATLL, runs in conjunction with the utility's existing water treatment plant which uses conventional treatment technology. The EDR plant's output is blended with the output of the conventional plant to produce a combined stream that is adequate for the needs of the Catalonia region, meets all water quality standards and is cost-effective.

EDR employs an electrochemical separation process to remove salts and organic matter found in many source waters along with potentially harmful chlorination byproducts. GE says it provides an exceptionally high water recovery rate of 90%, and maintains consistent water quality despite the source river's changing temperature and salinity. The EDR system also resists fouling, which can decrease its performance and service life.