Premium Essay

Use of Renewable Energy Technologies for Desalination

In:

Submitted By 645372567
Words 3615
Pages 15
Use of renewable energy technologies for desalination
Wang Shuxian z3452701 Abstract
Only about 0.25% of total fresh water, which is only 3% of total water in global world, could directly supply for the most needs of human beings and animals. Another significant impact is due to rapid population growth, causing severe fresh water scarcity. Other factors include rapid industrial growth, industrial wastes and sewage discharged and climate change. It would be feasible to overcome the water scarcity through seawater desalination; however, if seawater containing high salinity is converted to fresh water by desalination, it consumes large amounts of energy. Therefore, it is important to find suitable alternative energy resources for the desalination technology due to conventional fossil fuels crisis and environmental pollution.
Renewable energy is commonly alternative energy sources considered for desalination, including solar thermal energy, solar photovoltaics, wind energy, hybrid solar PV-wind energy and geothermal. Renewable energy can power the desalination systems comprising comprise the phase change processes, which include the multistage flash, multiple effect boiling and vapour compression and membrane processes, which include reverse osmosis and electrodialysis. Finally, the paper will discuss the best renewable energy powered desalination systems.
Keywords: Desalination; Renewable energy; Solar thermal energy; Solar PV energy; Wind energy; Geothermal energy

1. Introduce
Water is one of the most plenty of resources in the earth surface, covering about 70%. However, it is estimated that only about 3% (approximate 36 million km3) of that is fresh water and the other about 97% is salt water in the oceans. 70% of the total fresh water is inaccessible in the form of polar ice, and 30% is reserved in the deep underground. To make things worse, only about 0.25% of

Similar Documents

Free Essay

Seawater Desaliantion

...Seawater desalination for sustainable water supply Contents I. Introduction 2 II. Seawater desalination and its advantages and disadvantages 2 III. Environmental impacts 3 IV. Policy for desalination plant 3 V. Conclusion 4 Student ID: z5084901 Student name: Boheng Zhu School of Chemical Engineering The University of New South Wales April 2016 Introduction Australia has uncertain rainfall and most parts of it have droughts, and has increasing population in large cities in recent years (Legislative Council Secretariat 2015). These conditions pose a threat to water supply. In addition, it is more and more limited and improper to build water pipes to draw water from dams and reservoirs. Due to these facts, seawater desalination plants have been constructed to ensure the water supply in Australia’s large population urban centers. Seawater desalination mainly uses membrane process to desalinate seawater rather than thermal process, because reverse-osmosis (RO) in membrane process consumes less energy, and in the RO desalination, seawater is divided into two streams: one with very high dissolved salts and the other one with less salts (Gary Crisp, E.A. (Bob) Swinton and Neil Palmer* 2010). However, seawater desalination has its drawbacks: energy intensive, generation of greenhouse gases, impacts of desalination discharge on marine environment and its high operating costs. These issues are associated with Australia’s environment and economy (Reza Dashtpour...

Words: 1578 - Pages: 7

Free Essay

Energy in Saudi Arabia

...Energy in Saudi Arabia Table of Contents Subject | Page | Introduction | 2 | Consumption of Energy | 3 | Renewable Sources of Energy in Saudi Arabia | 4 | * Solar | 5 | * Nuclear | 5 | * Wind | 6 | * Waste –to- Energy | 6 | * Geothermal | 6 | Water | 7 | Water Desalination | 7 | World’s Largest Solar Powered Desalination Plant | 8 | Al- Midra Tower | 9 | Conclusion | 11 | References | 12 | Introduction Saudi Arabia is the world's top oil exporter and producer. Saudi Arabia's economy is petroleum-based; Oil actually accounts for 90% of the country's exports and nearly 75% government revenues. Oil is also the major source of energy in Saudi Arabia. A lot of energy is used to desalinate water. Water is scarce in a country that is surrounded by sea from East and West. Desalination consumes a lot of energy, although improvements had been made to make it more efficient. In this report, I will discuss the current and future energy sources in Saudi Arabia. In addition, I will talk about the water desalination in Saudi Arabia. Finally, I will talk about one building in Saudi Arabia that got LEED Platinum award from United States Green Building Council (USGBC) assessment. Consumption of Energy Saudi Arabia's economy is petroleum-based; Oil actually accounts for 90% of the country's exports and nearly 75% government revenues. The country has one of the largest reserves of natural gas in the Arabia Gulf Region. Its...

Words: 1654 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Desalination Persuasive Essay

...Sustainablity Though the sustainability of RO desalination is dependent on many factors, the most decisive is probably the environmental impacts. The process has the ability to impact the environment through pollution of marine ecosystems and greenhouse gas emissions. According to the Future Directions International, desalination plants taking in massive amounts of water from marine ecosystems can kill small fish and other organisms when they get caught in the filter . The Australian and U.S. desalination plants have been designed to allow the fish to swim away using a slow intake rate . The bigger environmental issue deals with the waste of RO. The salt concentrated waste of the process is usually disposed back into the ocean, which causes an increase in salt levels in the oceans . To limit the effects on marine ecosystems, strict environmental laws are being passed to restrict the amount of waste allowed...

Words: 561 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Analyse the Feasibility of Two Different Techniques of Fresh Water Supply in Egypt

...Nations (2012) states that water scarcity means less than 1000 m3/year/person, while the figure in Egypt is about 963 m3/year/person. Although, from the geographic perspective,there are adequate water resources in Egypt, such as Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea and Nile River (CIA, 2012), the Nile water level is decreasing due to the result of evaporation, rainwater supply, hot and dry climate, vast desert and global warming . According to Kashef (1983: 163), comparing with entering water in Nile (35.69 km3/year), the losses are 29.29 km3/year. Thus, Egypt needs to seek some methods to alleviate the problem of water scarcity. Overall, this report offers two alternative measures, desalination and dams respectively. Generally, this report will analyse and compare the feasibility and differences between desalination and dams from three viewpoints: cost, environmental problems and social impact, by this means attempt to find the most effective and economical method to address the dilemma (water scarcity) in Egypt. 2. Background Egypt, an agricultural country, is located in the northern Africa (CIA, 2012) with three main water resources, namely Nile water, groundwater and rainwater (Abdel-shafy and Aly, 2002: 4-5). However, the desert region occupies more than 96% in Egyptian total land (Fouly and Khaill,1979:205-206) and the average annual rainfall seldom surpass 200mm (Allam et al, 2002:20). It seems that the geographical...

Words: 2479 - Pages: 10

Free Essay

Renewable Energy Wave Technology Overview

...Renewable  Energy   Wave  Technologies               Table  of  Contents:   1.0) Introduction   2.0) Wave  Technologies   3.0) Where  can  it  be  used?   4.0) Wave  Technologies   4.1) For  the  Study  only  consider  the  following  Technologies:   4.2) Current  Issues  with  Wave  Energy  Generation   4.3) Oscillating  Water  Column  (Scowcroft)   4.3)1. Construction  of  OWC  at  Isle  of  Islay,  Scotland   4.3)2. Installed  OWC  Technology   4.3)3. OWC  cost   4.3)4. Problems  with  OWC   4.4) Pelamis   4.4)1. Construction  of  Pelamis   4.4)2. Installed  Pelamis  Technology   4.4)3. Pelamis  Costs   4.4)4. Problems  with  Pelmis   4.5) Wave  Technology:  CETO   4.5)1. Installed  CETO  Technology   4.5)2. Construction  of  the  CETO  Technology   4.5)3. CETO  Costs   4.5)4. Problems  with  CETO   5.0) Application  in  Australia   5.1) Wave  Technology  feasibility  in  Australia   5.2) What  is  the  plan  for  Western  Australia?   5.2)1. Wave  Technology  selected  for  Western  Australia  is  the   CETO  system  by  Carnegie  Wave  Energy  Limited   5.2)2. Why  is  the  CETO  the  right  option  for...

Words: 3029 - Pages: 13

Premium Essay

Feasibility of Two Fresh Water Supply Techniques in Sudan

...of the fact that about 60% of Sudan lies within the Nile basin, it only draws 18.5x109 m3 from the Nile’s annual flow of 84x109m3 and added to its internal supply of 12x109m3, the water availability falls considerably below the water stress limit of 1000m3 per head (ibid). According to FAO, (cited in USAID, 2010), in Sudan the renewable water resource per capita at 2008 stood at 726m3/person/year and is projected to be 617m3/person/year in 2015. It is low and rapidly dropping every year (ibid) and unless measures are taken, many citizens will be living without a basic human right. Since Sudan cannot rely on rainfall which is sporadic and concentrated in 4 months for most areas (Omer, 2008), water management techniques need to be implemented to ensure availability of potable water. Sudan is bordered by the Red Sea to the east which makes desalination a viable option but the cost implications and negative effects on the environment make it unattractive. Another option worth considering is water recycling which seems to be lower in cost while having fewer negative effects on the environment. This report will compare the feasibility of both desalination and water recycling techniques, in terms of cost implications, social acceptance and environmental effects, and will recommend water recycling as...

Words: 2036 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

Marketing

...Sustainability…………………………………………………………………5 5.0Comparison of options…………………………………….………….……………6 5.1 Cost……………………………………………………………………………6 5.1.1 Desalination……………………………………….……….……………6 5.1.2 Water reuse…………………………………………..…………………6 5.2 Environment………………………………………………………...…………7 5.2.1Desalination………………………………………………………………7 5.2.2 Water reuse…………………………………………...…………………8 5.3 Sustainability……………………………………………………..……………9 5.3.1 Desalination……………………………………………...………………9 5.3.2 Water reuse…………………………………………...…………………9 6.0 Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………9 7.0 Recommendation…………………………………………………………………10 8.0 Bibliography……………………………………………………...………………11 1.0 Introduction Water is one of our most critical resources. However, as climate change warms the atmosphere and alters the hydrological cycle, around the world it is under threat (EPA, 2013). In addition, the high population and excessive development lead to the water consumption has a significant increase (Zhang, et al. 2010). As a result, a variety of countries are facing water shortage problem, which has became a global issue. This report will compare desalination and water reuse extraction as methods of water provision in Kuwait considering cost, environmental impact and sustainability. 2.0 Background Kuwait, which located in the Arab Gulf, is one of countries that have the lowest level in renewable fresh water (Al-Mudhaf, et al.), with 0.02 km3/yr (Gleick et al....

Words: 2072 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

Projecft

...www.ijird.com October, 2012 Vol 1 Issue 8 ISSN: 2278 – 0211 Cheaper Electrodes Having Higher Efficiency Using Salt Water And Salt Vinegar Electrolytes S. Ramakanth Electrical And Electronics Engineering,Visakha Institute of Engineering and Technology, Visakhapatnam Abstract: This paper gives how salt water and salt vinegar is used as a renewable energy source. Working of salt water and salt vinegarelectrolytes and both the combination of electrolytes, comparison of different electrodes used in the electrolytes. And choosing which is the best pair of electrodes.applications of it in many fields. Keywords: Electro-chemicalreaction,Electrolyte,Vinegar,corrosion. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INNOVATIVE RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT Page 310 www.ijird.com October, 2012 Vol 1 Issue 8 1. Introduction We know that our earth covered with 70% of water and 30% of land. So water occupies more space than land but 97% is the salt water and 3% is the fresh drinking water. Many technologies are developed to use salt water for producing electrical energy. The energy produced in this way is renewable energy source. Ex: salt water battery, salt water generators etc. The modern battery is found in high-tech applications ranging from hearing aids and pace-makers to pocket calculators, personal stereos, radios and mobile phones. They are everywhere and completely invaluable. The origin of the power behind the battery is chemical. In the following paper I explain...

Words: 3350 - Pages: 14

Free Essay

Africa

...Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Program March 2011 Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Program 3 04 07 10 10 11 13 14 14 14 14 15 15 15 15 17 18 19 20 23 27 28 28 29 31 Renewable Energies : a priority in Algeria I- Renewable Energy Program Photovoltaic solar energy Solar thermal energy Wind energy II- Energy Efficiency Program Thermal insulation of buildings Solar water heating development Spreading the use of low energy consumption lamps Introducing energy performance in street lighting Promoting energy efficiency in the industrial sector Promoting Liquefied Petroleum Gas fuel Promoting Natural Gas fuel Introduction of key technologies for solar air conditioning III- Development of Industrial Capacity Photovoltaic solar energy Solar thermal energy Wind energy IV- Research and Development V- Legal Framework and Incentives Legal framework Incentives and fiscal measures Regulatory measures VI- Glossary CONTENT 4 Renewable Energies: a priority in Algeria Algeria has created a green momentum by launching an ambitious program to develop renewable energies (REn) and promote energy efficiency. This program leans on a strategy focussed on developing and expanding the use of inexhaustible resources, such as solar energy in order to diversify energy sources and prepares Algeria of tomorrow. Through combining initiatives and the acquisition of knowledge, Algeria is engaged in a new age of sustainable energy use. The program...

Words: 5252 - Pages: 22

Premium Essay

Acciona

... Company profile REinVEnTinG A GREAT coMPAnY The year 2008 saw the definitive reinvention of a great company. Less than a decade ago, ACCIONA was one of Spain’s leading construction companies and was actively diversifying and seeking business opportunities worldwide. In the last year, and after divesting Endesa in 2009, ACCIONA has culminated the transformation into a company that is a pioneer in development and sustainability, and a global leader in the development, production and management of renewable energy, water and infrastructure with the minimum environmental impact. This achievement would not have been possible without ACCIONA’s pioneering background. It was created by the first merger in Spain’s construction industry and, in the 1990s, it was the first non-utility to move into renewable energy. ACCIONA is the construction company that has most successfully diversified followed by a process of concentration. Sustainability is a core axis of its strategy, and energy, infrastructure and water are the vectors of future growth. In 2004, José Manuel Entrecanales was appointed Chairman, and he spearheads the Company’s transition towards these three pillars of growth. In 2005, ACCIONA strengthened its position using an innovative strategy based on orienting those businesses towards sustainable development, with a strong international approach. This sweeping transformation was also possible thanks to the enormous investment effort and social commitment as a creator of quality...

Words: 3360 - Pages: 14

Premium Essay

Renewable Energy

...Renewable Energy Renewable energy sources have a huge contribution to make in creating a sustainable energy system. They help to mitigate climate change, increase the security of our global energy supply system and give developing countries access to affordable energy in support of the UN Millennium Development Goals. Renewable energy could meet almost half of global energy demand by 2050 according to the International Energy Agency’s ambitious BLUE MAP scenario published in Energy Technology Perspectives 2008. Under this scenario, world greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are halved. By the end of the century, it is conceivable that global energy needs could be supplied mainly from renewable sources, although their contribution would vary from one region to another. Research and development (R&D) has a vital role to play if the potential of renewable energy is to be fully exploited. Policy measures, such as taxes, cap and trade schemes, obligations and feed-in tariffs, which take into account environmental impacts and, in particular, the social cost of carbon dioxide emissions, will contribute to faster deployment. However, investment in R&D will not be delivered by market signals alone; extensive support at the national and international levels is needed to accelerate the development of renewable technologies. R&D targeted at different stages of the innovation chain will yield benefits in the short-term (up to five years), medium-term (5–15 years); and in the...

Words: 1495 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Energy

... Assignment #1 ASSIGNMENT #1 Energy can be converted from one form to another by one form of energy decreases, other forms increasing, because the total energy has to stay constant and that’s only if you're looking at an isolated object. Potential energy can be converted to Kinetic and kinetic can be converted to potential. (Tillery, Enger, & Ross, 2009, p. 67). Energy can be converted in three basic ways through 3 actions of forces. Gravitational Forces is when gravity accelerates a falling object, its converts its potential energy to kinetic energy. Electric and Magnetic Force Fields can convert charged particles, which electrical fields use forces, possess potential energy of an electric field in a way similar to that of an object in a gravitational field. Frictional Forces can be converted into thermal energy, which is heat, whenever the object slides against another object. An example of an energy being converted from one form to another is a lightbulb. It converts electrical energy to radiant energy. A car can covert chemical energy to mechanical energy. A solar cell converts radiant energy to electrical energy to mechanical energy. A fuel converts to chemical energy to heat energy. What we mean by fossil fuels is that Fossil fuels are energy resources that come from the remains of plants and animals. These remains are millions of years old. Fossil fuels, like coal, oil, and natural gas, provide the energy that powers our lifestyles and our economy....

Words: 658 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Water in the Uae

...------------------------------------------------- Water in the UAE ------------------------------------------------- Impact Achievements and Ways Forward Introduction Water is the resource that sustains all life on earth and is a key element of sustainable development. It is essential if human beings are to enjoy healthy and safe lives or realize social and economic development. Ecosystems are also inextricably linked with water. Water sustains humans’ health, food production, and economic development. But only 3 percent of Earth’s water is salt-free, or fresh water. Moreover, nearly 70 percent of fresh water is locked in glaciers and icebergs, and is not available for human use. The fresh water that is available comes from rain or from rivers, lakes, springs, and some groundwater reserves, such as aquifers. With the increasing demand on water for all aspects of sustainable development, water is becoming very scares all around the world! * Around 700 million people in 43 countries suffer today from water scarcity. * By 2025, 1.8 billion people will be living in countries or regions with absolute water scarcity, and two-thirds of the world's population could be living under water stressed conditions. * With the existing climate change scenario, almost half the world's population will be living in areas of high water stress by 2030, including between 75 million and 250 million people in Africa. In addition, water scarcity in some arid and semi-arid places...

Words: 3591 - Pages: 15

Premium Essay

How Does Australia Use Wave Energy

...Introduction Wave energy is the transfer of energy by water waves which is then captured to perform useful work such as generation of electricity and water desalination. This energy is produced when electricity generators are kept at the surface of the ocean and then propelled by the ocean waves.The Wave Energy Converter (WEC) machine is used to exploit wave power into useful form of electric energy. The WEC’s are attached to special turbines, buoys and other machineries that capture the power of waves and tides and combine them into pollution-free electricity (Aux 2010). The energy produced usually depends on the height of the wave, the speed of the wave, the wavelength and the density of water. The use of wave energy varies considerable...

Words: 1278 - Pages: 6

Free Essay

Alternative Battery

...that can be purchased anywhere and it is very cheap, an alligator clips that can be bought in local stores although the price is quite expensive but it is still affordable because you can use it everyday, a small light bulb that is enough to lighten up your house and of course you need a base lamp. Our materials is eco-friendly and our experiment is also harm free to the environment that does not use any harmful smoke that can harm the environment. TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION a. background of the study b. statement of the problem c. significance of the study e. scopes and limitations REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURES MATERIALS AND METHODS RESULTS AND DISCUSSION SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION RECOMMENDATION APPENDIX INTRODUCTION A. Background of the study 1.5 billion people do not have access to electricity, 585 million of them living in Sub-Saharan Africa and 404 million in India. Three billion people, almost half of the world's population rely on biomass, such as wood, charcoal, and dung for cooking and heating purposes. Sub-Saharan Africa is an especially dire case, Only 31% of the population has access to electricity and the Sub-Saharan Afican population (excluding South Africa) of 791 million consumes as much energy annually as New York State, a population of 19.5 million,...

Words: 1858 - Pages: 8