Approaches to decrease environmental impacts of seawater desalination / Ansätze zur Reduzierung der Umweltbelastung beı der Meerwasserentsalzung

Abstract

Sea water desalination is seen to be the most important source of potable water for the population on islands and coastal regions. These are also the regions which will suffer from the environmental impact of increased carbon dioxide emissions. Therefore, carbon dioxide free energy from nuclear power plants should be used for sea water desalination. Both industries, sea water desalination and nuclear power plants, have achieved independently a very high level of operating economics and safety. An example for the technological progress in this area is the new concept developed by Salzgitter Anlagenbau in Germany for a power/water (reverse osmosis) cogeneration design with the lowest possible prime energy consumption. As demonstrated in the paper, the energy needed can be taken from the waste heat of the advanced passive nuclear power plant AP 600. The combined plant configuration is able to doublicate the effective use of nuclear heat produced in the AP 600, which leads to a reduction of water and electricity costs. Details of safety and economic features of the proposed combined plant are outlined. Environmental impacts related to Kyoto and Buenos Aires climate conferences are discussed.