Water strategies and technological development in Egyptian coastal areas

Abstract

The availability of fresh water and energy is the key factor in the planning of many countries' development, particularly those of large over-populated and areas. Potable water supply shortage and recent technological development have led to wider application of conventional, and yet advanced saline/brackish water desalination plants. The growing potable water demand in suburban and tourist Red Sea and Sinai resorts had prompted an organized national plan of implementation of desalination technologies [1]. The present work continues a series of activities to analyze the status quo of water demand in Egypt, and reviews the current research activities to establish the appropriate technology for adaptation, local manufacturing experiences, successes, unit size, process and economics. Water demand in a vastly growing and developing Egyptian community was analyzed as characterized by a rising standard of living, expansion of industrialization in mining and petroleum sectors and the vast expansion of tourist development [2]. With the still limited resources to support the infrastructure, the problem is acute. Khalil et al. [3] emphasized the importance of establishing a water master plan techno-economic assessment of the desalting process. The present work reviews the status quo in terms of water demand, availability, strategies, energy demand and new development in small and medium sized locally manufactured units. Assessment of some of the locally manufactured units currently in operation will be detailed and their economical viability investigated. The advantages and limitations, based on techno-economic and energy concepts of the application of different desalting processes in Egypt are outlined and discussed.