The SMIT technology, developed and patented by Genio srl, resolves - in an effective, economically profitable and environmentally safe way - the grave problem of the shortage of fresh water, through the dissalation of sea water.
SMIT is the only internationally patented and recognized technology that is able, during the process of dissalation, to produce:
Fresh water for human, agricultural or industrial uses
Electrical energy in excess of consumption
Chemical products of great value and commercial demand
NaOH (caustic soda) and HCl (hydrochloric acid)
No brine or other product harmful for the environment
The SMIT technology is based on a patented System of fuel cells, which can be supplied with various fuels “reformed” into hydrogen. SMIT operates synergistically with Reverse osmosis (RO) plants, transforming their polluting brine waste into valuable products for the market. And it can do all this with a strongly active global energy balance!
The SMIT technology can be applied effectively either to new systems or to existing reverse osmosis dissalation plants, making them highly profitable.
The prototype diagram that follows combines fuel cell technology with ionic exchange support.
Hydrogen Supply (Reformer for PEM)
The SMIT is supplied with hydrogen coming from the natural gas “reforming" process. The “reformer” used for this purpose is sized in accordance with specific processing requirements (generally from 1.2 up to 12.0 Nm3 of H2 per hour) and can be supplied with natural gas or other fuels such as biogas, LPG, propane, methanol, DME (dimethyl ether).
The "reforming" process consists of a sequence of two steps, combined in a single device.
- The first step is the effective gas "reforming" step, based on so-called "Steam Reforming Technology" (SR).
- The second step is the process of "CO Clean-Up“, which can use either of two alternative technologies: "Water Gas Shift" (WGS) and "Selective Methanation" (SMET).
The final outcome of the "CO Clean up" consists of the reduction of carbon monoxide below 10 ppmv.
If necessary, the “reforming” process can be preceded by desulfurization of the natural gas in a special unit.
AVERAGE PERFORMANCE OF THE PROCESS - INCLUDING R.O.
|
CH4 consumed for every cu.mt. of sea water |
3.7 m 3 |
|---|---|
|
Fresh water produced for every cu.mt. of sea water |
0.90 m 3 |
|
kWh produced for every cu.mt. of sea water |
11.84 kWh/m 3 |
|
NaOH (caustic soda) produced for every cu.mt. of sea water |
11 Kg/m 3 |
|
HCl (hydrochloric acid) produced for every cu.mt. of sea water |
19 Kg/m 3 |