According to industrial engineering principles, thermal desalination plants operate by boiling seawater and condensing the steam. What is the primary thermodynamic factor that makes seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) membrane technology more energy-efficient than traditional thermal distillation?

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: A. SWRO avoids the substantial latent heat of vaporization required to convert liquid water into steam

  1. Step 1: Recall physical principles of phase transitions: Evaporating water requires the latent heat of vaporization ().
  2. Step 2: Reverse osmosis is a mechanical separation process that forces water molecules through a semi-permeable membrane under pressure without a phase change, eliminating high latent heat expenditure.
Answer
SWRO avoids the substantial latent heat of vaporization required to convert liquid water into steam.
Why not the others: 'SWRO operates at lower hydrostatic pressures' is incorrect because SWRO requires high pressures (55-80 bar) to overcome osmotic pressure; 'SWRO chemically neutralizes' is false as it filters physically; 'SWRO eliminates intake filtration' is incorrect as membrane protection requires strict pre-filtration.

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