Upgrading ERDs within an operating desalination plant in Israel

The Palmachim Desalination plant is one of the largest seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) desalination plants in Israel with a capacity of 120,000 cubic meters per day. Built by the Via Maris Desalination Ltd. consortium, the plant consists of six (6) parallel SWRO trains, each with a permeate production capacity of up to 20,000 cubic meters per day. In addition its high-capacity SWRO trains, the Palmachim plant is unique because it was designed to be easily turned on, off or slowed down. Electricity tariffs in Israel are significantly higher during the day than at night with a cost ratio of up to six to one. The plant’s flexibility allows the operators to minimize energy consumption during the day when the power cost is high by shutting down up to 85% of the plants capacity.