A novel control of a Reverse Osmosis Desalination system powered by photovoltaic generator

In Arid or semi-arid regions the ensoleillement is important while the water quality is bad. The coupling between Reverse Osmosis Desalination (ROD) processes and photovoltaic energy sources is a best solution to produce drinkable water from brackish water. However, the high intermittence of the photovoltaic energy level is the mean reason of membranes filling; therefore it makes these plants not optimally designed and operated because only a short number of constant operation points is considered and not a changeable control strategy. The present paper deals with a novel suitable control strategy approach based on the Variable Structure Model Reference Adaptive Control (VSMRAC) applied to ROD systems fed by photovoltaic sources. The control algorithm ensures minimal value of the following error between the plant and the reference model even in the presence of intermittent sources. The performances of the proposed control are shown by simulations and validated by experimental results.