Seawater Desalination Projects Research Articles

Identifying greenhouse gas emission reduction potentials through large-scale photovoltaic-driven seawater desalination

To widely promote freshwater production through seawater desalination, renewable energy is expected to replace traditional fossil energy to drive seawater desalination. Based on the input list of components and materials, this study attempts to quantify greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of photovoltaic-driven seawater desalination projects through replacing traditional thermal power plants and evaluate GHG emission reduction potentials by comparing the thermal- and photovoltaic-driven seawater desalination projects. The GHG emission of photovoltaic-driven seawater desalination project could be reduced by 94.97 % compared with the thermal-driven seawater desalination project, and the GHG emission per unit water production is reduced by 9.8 kg CO2-eq/ton, which could greatly reduce GHG emissions in the whole life cycle. In addition, it is estimated that the large-scale implementation of photovoltaic power stations in LT-MED seawater desalination project can reduce GHG emissions from 1.61E+05 to 3.86E+06 t CO2-eq per year. Through the payback period assessment, the combination of photovoltaic power stations and thermal power plants to drive the seawater desalination project can offset the GHG emission of 7.94E+03 t CO2-eq, and the payback period of photovoltaic-driven seawater desalination project is estimated to be 0.33 years. Using renewable energy instead of traditional thermal energy can reduce the fossil fuel combustion and GHG emissions during the water desalination process, which provides essential references for the low-carbon transition and energy saving in seawater desalination projects in China's coastal areas.

Mitigating water imbalance between coastal and inland areas through seawater desalination within China

At present, more than 142 seawater desalination projects have been built in China, which effectively alleviate freshwater scarcity pressure in coastal cities while showing little effects on inland areas. Through evaluating seawater desalination distribution, it is practical to analyze optimal water transfer path to mitigate freshwater imbalance and alleviate freshwater shortage pressure. Based on the compiled list of seawater desalination projects, this study evaluated the embodied water consumption of China's seawater desalination projects in 28 coastal cities and 9 provinces/municipalities. Taking the desalination water availability, desalinated water proportion, and regional water disparity into consideration, the overall plan for the optimal water transfer path are proposed to balance the desalination water resources based on the particle swarm optimization algorithm (PSO). When compared, the desalinated water resources reached an increasingly high proportion in local water production capacity, and the water mitigation degree through seawater desalination kept increasing. The optimal water transfer planning has the potential to ease the imbalance of desalination water distribution and lower water shortage pressure in water-scarce areas, which is expected to allocate freshwater resources and promote sustainable water management from a nationwide perspective.

Exploring energy-saving potentials in seawater desalination engineering from the energy-water nexus perspective

With the rapid population growth and economic development, the necessity to explore energy-saving potentials in typical seawater desalination project is increasingly essential. Taking the Reverse Osmosis (RO) seawater desalination project in Hebei Province, China as a case, this study performed systematic accounting framework combining the direct and indirect energy consumption from the energy-water nexus perspective, and carried out the energy-saving potential assessment and systematical optimization configuration. From the results, the total direct energy consumption of the project was 2.23 × 106 kWh, and the total embodied energy consumption was 2.18 × 107 kWh. Define the embodied energy consumption (ESE) as an evaluation index of energy saving potentials, the energy consumption degree before optimization is 79.54%, which could be reduced to 26.30% after optimization. The results showed that the systematic accounting framework in this study can greatly improve the accuracy of energy consumption measurement in the project, and the systematical optimization configuration can significantly reduce energy consumption and improve the energy-saving design under the minimum investment in the seawater desalination projects.

Cloud and IoT based smart architecture for desalination water treatment

Increasing water demand and the deteriorating environment has continuously stressed the requirement for new technology and methods to attain optimized use of resources and desalination management, converting seawater into pure drinking water. In this age, the Internet of Things use allows us to optimize a series of previously complicated processes to perform and required enormous resources. One of these is optimizing the management of water treatment. This research presents an implementable water treatment model and suggests smart environment that can control water treatment plants. The proposed system gathers data and analysing to provide the most efficient approach for water desalination operations. The desalination framework integrates smart enabling technologies such as Cloud Portal, Network communication, Internet of Things, Sensors powered by solar energy with ancient water purification as part of seawater's desalination project. The proposed framework incorporates the new-age technologies, which are essential for efficient and effective operations of desalination systems. The implemented desalination dual membrane framework uses solar energy for purifying saline water using ancient methods to produce clean water for drinking and irrigation. The desalination produced 0.47 m3/l of freshwater from a saline concentration of 10 g/l, consuming 8.31 KWh/m3 energy for production from the prototype implementation, which makes desalination process cost effective.

Energy-water nexus in seawater desalination project: A typical water production system in China

As the most essential factors affecting sustainable regional development, energy and water resources are closely related. Based on the three-scale energy intensity database, this study calculates the whole life cycle performance of a 25,000 tons/day desalination project in Hebei Province, China by combining life cycle analysis with input-output analysis. Considering the embodied energy consumption in different time periods, the corresponding freshwater production per year is 9.13 million m3, and the total energy consumption covering the construction and operation stages is 39.46 PJ, with the energy consumption per year of 1.94 PJ. Considering the embodied energy consumption in different scales and components, the energy consumption at the national scale contributes the largest proportion (68.79%), and the evaporator is the main component in the construction stage (34.30%). For energy consumption in water production, the energy-water nexus index in the project is 18.02 kWh/m3, among which the thermal power could be replaced through the combination of seawater desalination and thermal power plants. Through the reasonable selection of key materials and components and location of seawater desalination projects, the balance between the supply and demand of energy consumption and water production could be optimized from the energy-water nexus perspective.

Risk evaluation of large-scale seawater desalination projects based on an integrated fuzzy comprehensive evaluation and analytic hierarchy process method

Desalination projects play a vital role in the water supply of coastal regions with scarce water resources. The risks associated with desalination projects are worth investigating, especially for large-scale projects. This paper presents the risk identification and evaluation processes of large-scale desalination projects. Two levels of risk indicators are identified and the first-level risks include water intake and outfall risk, processing risk, financial risk and circumstance risk. With the identified risk indicators, an integrated fuzzy comprehensive evaluation (FCE) and analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method is introduced to conduct quantitative risk evaluations for large-scale desalination projects. Twenty experts in desalination-related fields are invited to vote to determine the weighting vectors for the FCE through the AHP. They also participate in deciding the membership matrixes in the FCE for three practical desalination projects. The evaluation results indicate that the overall risks of all the considered projects are at the “Very low” level. Finally, to diminish the potential risks, several instructions and recommendations are suggested that depend on the evaluation outcomes. It is expected that the current risk evaluation research will make remarkable contributions to the risk management and control of large-scale desalination projects and further promote the development of the desalination industry.

Assessment of the Requirements within the Environmental Monitoring Plans Used to Evaluate the Environmental Impacts of Desalination Plants in Chile

Seawater desalination represents an alternative solution to face the challenge of water scarcity in Chile. However, the uncertainty toward potential environmental impacts of desalination plants represent a barrier to achieving water sustainability and socioeconomic development in Chile. This study aimed to assess the quality of environmental monitoring plans (EMP) and determine the aspects to be improved within it, in order to enhance the management of desalination plants during the operation phase and guarantee a sustainable development of the activity. The Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and Environmental Impact Studies for seawater desalination projects published in the Environmental Impact Evaluation System (SEIA) in Chile between 1997 and 2018 were reviewed. The results of the brine production from desalination plants showed a significant increase in the last decade (about 1.6 Mm3 per year estimated according to the projects approved or under implementation). The EMPs data show heterogeneity and increasing requirements over time, which can be attributed to the governmental effort to improve environmental protection. Furthermore, a high frequency of irrelevant descriptors was identified in the current EMPs. The study thus recommended standardizing the environmental requirements included in EMPs based on empiric scientific knowledge to enhance the environmental protection programs in Chile.

Nuclear desalination in Iran, current status and perspectives

Nuclear power can be categorized as a clean energy source for producing electricity and supplying the required energy to a desalination plant, promising less atmospheric emission in comparison to fossil fuels. Considering the fact that fresh water-related issues are acute in many countries of the world, the utilization of desalination technologies seems to be the key solution to these problems. Desalination processes are known to be “energy-intensive”, emphasizing the potential advantages of its integration to a nuclear power plant in mediumto large-scale seawater desalination projects. The demand for electricity and fresh water in Iran compels the country to search for a feasible option. We suggest nuclear desalination as a suitable alternative, in which the recovered heat can be used in thermal desalination systems. In this article, the status of currently operating desalination plants and future developments are described. Several possible schemes for coupling nuclear power plant and fossil fuel-based plants with desalination technologies are suggested and some thermo-economic analysis (based on the specific characteristics of the country) are presented. Results of calculations reveal some advantages of nuclear desalination complex and its competitiveness with other options. It should be noted that the research has been conducted by cooperation of two SPbPU PhD students with Iranian citizenship.

Exploring the environmental impact assessment commissioners' perspectives on the development of the seawater desalination project

In recent years, extreme climate conditions have resulted in uneven precipitations in Taiwan. The development of traditional water resources frequently suffers from protests of environmental groups, potential dam sites being hard-to-find, and other factors. The development of new water sources has been increasingly difficult. Sea water desalination has the advantages of a short construction time and easy expansion flexibility, making it an important alternative as a new water resource. In this study, the current proposal of Tainan's desalination plant was used as an example. Qualitative interviews and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) were used to explore the environmental impact assessment (EIA) commissioner's perceptions of the impact from the development of the desalination project. The results of the qualitative interview indicate that the main concerns of the EIA commissioners are whether the development could damage the marine ecological environment and its fishery resources, which may have adverse socioeconomic consequences. The AHP results show that the commissioners' priority of environmental impact is ecological environmental impact 36.9%, social impact 29.7%, economic impact 23.7%, and physical and chemical environmental impact 9.7%. The main concerns in each impact category are, respectively, marine ecological environment, land and ocean utilisation, fisheries, and air quality.

IAEA coordinated research activity on nuclear desalination: the quest for new technologies and techno-economic assessment

A coordinated research project (CRP) on new technologies for seawater desalination using nuclear energy was conducted by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The CRP goal was to quest for innovative seawater desalination technologies which can be integrated with the existing nuclear power plants, could make seawater desalination using nuclear energy more viable, and promote the exchange of technical information on national programs in the field of seawater desalination using nuclear energy. Other activities carried out within this CRP include conducting preliminary feasibility analysis for nuclear seawater desalination based on national site specifics, economic and life cycle assessment of nuclear seawater desalination projects, and scoping of new ideas to improve the IAEA Desalination Economic Evaluation Program (DEEP). Among other outcomes, the CRP identified several potential technologies which can make nuclear desalination a more viable option such as: heat pipe, the low temperature Multi-Effect Desalination (MED), enhanced Reverse Osmosis (RO) at elevated temperature, and hybrid low temperature desalination processes. This paper summarises the activities carried out by participating Member States and the results achieved. Elaboration on different nuclear desalination technologies is provided. It also presents an overview of the financial model suggested for further improvement of the IAEA DEEP tool.

Comparison of 2D and 3D Models of Salinity Numerical Simulation

Abstract For the study of the effect of 2D and 3D mathematical model in salinity simulation, with Liuheng island strong brine discharge of seawater desalination project as an example, using 2D and 3D salinity mathematical models of Liuheng island to simulate coastal hydrodynamic environment and salinity distribution before and after the concentrated brine discharge, and analyzed the results. Finally got the applicable scope of the two models, it has an important significance in the study of similar problems.

Prospects of environmental governance in addressing sustainability challenges of seawater desalination industry in the Arabian Gulf

Abstract The hyper-arid climate of the Arabian Gulf makes it an excessively water-deficient region. Ironically, the Gulf States count among the few places with the highest per capita water consumption and low tariff. Since a few decades ago, seawater desalination has been the most reliable source of portable water in the Gulf. Recently, many critical scholars raise concerns about the rising levels of brine discharge, effects of water intake and outfall systems infrastructure, plants’ high energy consumption and fragmented regulatory and policy frameworks. In this study, we explore the potentials of environmental governance in addressing sustainability risks of seawater desalination projects. The DPSIR model and the Earth system governance framework guided and supported our analysis of several multidimensional issues that underlie the characteristics of this industry. Thus, we identified 29 cause and effect factors as well as nine environmental governance intervention strategies. The study suggests that the industry's network of stakeholders can develop good ideas for fostering sustainability by using innovative tools such as hackathon—an interdisciplinary, participatory, solution-oriented, and consensus building platform. Finally, this study enjoins policymakers, businesses, and scientists to embrace more transparent, practical and holistic ideas in designing, executing and assessing technological innovations and interventions in national and regional water security initiatives.

Analysis of the process of environmental impact assessment for seawater desalination plants in Spain

Desalination generates drinking water and enhances the economic, social, and environmental development of many areas with few water resources, such as parts of the Middle East, North Africa, and southern Europe (such as Spain and Cyprus).Desalination plants may cause environmental impacts in coastal areas and so it is necessary to submit plans for new plants to a process of environmental impact assessment (EIA) in order to achieve more environmentally viable projects, meaning: optimal locations; appropriately used systems and technologies; effective preventive, compensatory, and corrective measures; and social and environmental acceptance.This article contains a study of the process of environmental impact assessment for seawater desalination projects during the last 12years in Spain through an analysis of information published in the Records of Decisions (RODs). The study describes the main aspects of the process and identifies areas for improvement.

Environmental impact assessment of seawater desalination plant under the framework of integrated coastal management

This study aims to improve the current practice of EIA by introducing additional considerations for environmental impact assessment (EIA) under the framework of Integrated Coastal Management (ICM). Various EIA reports on the seawater desalination projects and the UNEP guidance for EIA of desalination were collected for document analysis. Along with in-depth interviews to obtain input from coastal stakeholders, an indicator framework for the impact of seawater desalination plants was thus developed by applying the concept of Integrated Coastal Management (ICM). Unlike the conventional EIA practice which mostly focuses on the direct impacts, the indicator framework under ICM includes direct and indirect impacts from three aspects: environment, economics and social, covering 14 criteria and 43 indicators. Our results showed that the social aspect criteria in our indicator system are mostly absent in the current EIA practice. This study includes recommendations for the improvement of the existing EIA of seawater desalination plants under the concept of ICM. The environmental impacts that are not well addressed or overlooked under conventional EIA regime are discussed herein.

Analysis and evaluation of various energy technologies in seawater desalination

Abstract At present, in addition to fossil energy and other conventional energy, the application of clean energy resources like wind energy, solar energy and nuclear energy in seawater desalination is rising around the word. It represents the future direction of desalination technology development, meeting the need of a resource-saving and environmentally-friendly society. And the technology has a great prospect of applying in regions in serious shortage of fresh water and energy. This paper concludes the advantages and disadvantages of various schemes by analyzing and comparing seawater desalination technologies of various energy. By analyzing five aspects including technological factor, environmental factor, social factor, economic factor and management factor, this paper proposes an evaluation indicators system of the application of energy technologies in seawater desalination. Evaluate the alternative schemes of the coupling of an island’s seawater desalination project and energy technologies by fuzzy...

How robust is the environmental impact assessment process in South Australia? Behind the scenes of the Adelaide seawater desalination project

Abstract This work tests the robustness of policies and procedures designed to protect South Australia's marine environment through a case study of the Adelaide Desalination Plant—the most expensive (∼A$1.8 billion) infrastructure project in South Australia's history. Although this project has been subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)—the highest level of assessment in Australia—on inspection it appears that the current operating licence for the desalination brine discharge breaches Government approval conditions and ignores the collective expert scientific advice of the project's Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Hence, the EIA process in South Australia for this project is flawed. Improvements could be made to the South Australian system by including the requirements for operating licences as an integral part of the EIA.

Effect of solution concentration on the attack of concrete by combined sulphate and chloride solutions

ABSTRACT Seawater attack presents a number of challenges to the concrete designer. The combined attack by sulphates and chlorides in seawater involves a complicated mechanism. In a number of cases, such as in outfall tunnels of seawater desalination projects, there is a possibility of encountering magnesium sulphate solutions (or magnesium brine solutions) having higher concentrations than seawater. This paper reports an experimental investigation to understand the influence of the solution concentration of seawater on the performance of cement mortars, through a combination of physical, chemical and microstructural analyses. Results indicate that higher concentrations of seawater do not cause the same level of damage as higher concentrations of groundwater relative to the typical seawater/groundwater solutions. The role of the brucite layer, formed on the surface during magnesium sulphate attack, is explored in detail to help understand the mechanisms governing the attack.

Considerations for selection of seawater filtration pretreatment system

Two types of pretreatment systems are typically used to protect seawater reverse osmosis membranes from fouling: conventional granular media filtration and membrane filtration. While granular medial filtration is still a dominating seawater pretreatment technology, microfiltration and ultrafiltration membrane systems for seawater pretreatment have evolved rapidly over the past decade and may offer cost and performance benefits for the site specific conditions and challenges of a given seawater desalination project. This article presents a critical review of widely used conventional granular and membrane pretreatment technologies and addresses key factors, and issues which would need to be taken under consideration when selecting a seawater pretreatment system.

Implementation and Technology Challenges for Regional Seawater Desalination

The Coquina Coast (Fla.) Seawater Desalination Project includes several unique features, including sustainability, evaluation of land- and vessel-based desalination, seawater intake alternatives, and planning for a large regional transmission system. Because the project is still in conceptual engineering and planning stages, location and capacity have not yet been determined. Studies began in 2009 to better define project requirements, investigate project alternatives, and perform necessary studies to ensure environmental and fiscal responsibility. This article summarizes nearly 12 months of effort by project partners to determine if seawater desalination is feasible for the region and to identify the most appropriate seawater desalination alternative.

Wastewater recycling gains momentum in China

Research conducted by international consultancy Frost & Sullivan reveals that the financial downturn worldwide is not deterring China from pursuing wastewater recycling and sea-water desalination projects.