Abstract

Thermal power plants situated in water-scarce regions encounter a critical challenge: balancing high water demand with environmental sustainability. Although efforts have been concentrated on optimizing cooling systems, the aspect of minimizing wastewater within water treatment units (WTUs) has been overlooked. This study conducted a techno-economic analysis comparing two brine treatment options for WTUs, secondary reverse osmosis (RO) and closed-circuit RO (CCRO), using a power plant in northwestern Iran as a case study. Both systems demonstrated notable water conservation benefits. CCRO achieved a 10 % higher recovery rate but necessitated 12 % more antiscalant. The secondary RO system consumed 56 % more energy than CCRO (1.68 vs. 1.078 kWh per m3) and emitted 20.5 % more greenhouse gases. Despite CCRO having a 35 % higher initial cost, its superior recovery rate resulted in a comparable total product cost of permeate water (approximately $0.55 per m3). This attributed to CCRO's reduced energy consumption (56 % less) and operational costs (20 % less), which offset its higher capital expenses. The study also emphasized the significance of a system's lifespan and interest rates as the most critical factors influencing total product cost. Operational costs, including labor, antiscalant, and electricity, also played a role, albeit to a lesser extent. These findings indicate that CCRO technology presents a promising environmentally sustainable solution for power plants aiming to reduce wastewater generation and enhance water management strategies.

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