The study showed that the SF-EDM process achieved a remarkable salinity reduction of over 90%, reaching 93% in the experimental trials. This efficiency was coupled with a total system water recovery rate of 90%, combining reverse osmosis and SF-EDM processes. The specific energy consumption ranged from 1 to 7 kWh/m³, indicating a favorable energy profile compared to traditional desalination methods.
A key finding was this method’s ability to selectively separate ions. It effectively distinguishes between monovalent and divalent ions, allowing sulfate and calcium to be separated into distinct concentrate streams. This selectivity is particularly important for applications such as irrigation, where it helps prevent sodium accumulation in agricultural soils.
The techno-economic analysis further highlighted the benefits of SF-EDM. The levelized cost of water produced was about 80% lower than that of conventional EDM systems, making it an economically viable option for brine management in desalination projects. These results suggest that the presented process improves water recovery and reduces operational costs and environmental impacts of concentrate disposal.