케미칼 엔지니어링 협회(IChemE)는 2050년까지 영국내에서 4기의 도시용 담수화 플랜트 및 기타 800여개소 이상의 소규모 담수화 설비를 추진, 영국내 가정 및 산업단지에 담수화 처리된 물을 공급하게 될 것이라고 전망했다.

2010년 영국 최초로 도시형 담수화 플랜트가 운전 개시됐으며 15만㎥/일 규모로 Thames Water사에 의하여 운영되고 있다. 오로지 가뭄이 발생하는 경우만 운전되고 있는 실정이다.

영국내에서는 담수화 기술의 개발, 인구의 증가 현상, 예상이 어려운 기후 패턴의 변화 등으로 담수화 기술이 필수적인 선택으로 고려되고 있다. 새로운 기술인 Aquaporin 및 FO 기술의 개발도 적극적으로 추진되고 있다.
 
이들 기술은 커다란 에너지 절감 효과를 가져다주며 특히 FO 기술은 멤브레인 유지에 필요한 케미칼 사용량을 현격히 줄일 수 있는 장점을 보이고 있다.
 
 
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IChemE forecasts more UK municipal desalination by 2050
 
By 2050, at least four municipal desalination plants and up to 800 smaller units could be providing water to UK households and industry.

This forecast was made on 11 September 2013 by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) in an exploration of the water sector in its latest technical strategy, Chemical Engineering Matters.

In June 2010, the UK opened its first municipal desalination plant in Beckton, East London, which is operated by Thames Water and capable of supplying 150,000 m³/d of water. The plant only operates during periods of drought.

However, changes in technology, combined with major population growth and unpredictable weather patterns caused by climate change are likely to make desalination more viable in the UK. Martin Currie, a member of IChemE's Water Special Interest Group and independent water quality and treatment consultant with Aqueum, said that, while improvements were continuously being made to reverse-osmosis membranes making desalination more chemical and energy efficient, some of the most exciting developments in desalination were with breakthrough technologies like aquaporins.

"Also, UK universities and companies are at the forefront of forward osmosis (FO) - a technology now in commercial operation that uses osmosis to suck water through the membrane rather than just pumps to push it," emphasised Currie. "Both technologies promise huge energy savings and FO plants are already seeing massive reductions in the amount of chemicals required to maintain the membranes".

IChemE will be publishing a white paper in 2014 which will assess all the options for a secure and safe water supply in the UK and internationally.
 

 
 
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