Desalination of Seawater Using Nuclear Energy PDF

Keywords

Water scarcity, Potable water, Nuclear desalination, accumulated experiences, IAEA

Abstract

Desalination technologies have been well established since the mid 20th century and are widely deployed in many parts of the world having acute water scarcity problems. The energy for these plants is generally supplied in the form of either steam or electricity largely using fossil fuels. The intensive use of fossil fuels raises environmental concerns especially in relation to greenhouse gas emissions. The depleting sources and the future price uncertainty of the fossil fuels and their better use for other vital industrial applications is also a factor to be considered for sustainability. The desalination of seawater using nuclear energy is a feasible option to meet the growing demand of potable water. Over 150 reactor-years of operating experience of nuclear desalination are also in progress to confirms its technical and economic viability under country specific conditions, with technical co-ordination or support of IAEA. Recent techno-economic feasibility studies carried out by some Member States indicate the competitiveness of nuclear desalination. This paper presents the salient activities on nuclear desalination in the Agency and in the interested member states. Economic research on further water cost reduction includes investigation on utilization of waste heat from different reactor types for thermal desalination, pre-heat reverse osmosis and hybrid desalination systems. The main challenge for the large-scale deployment of nuclear seawater desalination id the lack of infrastructure and resources in the countries affected by water scarcity problems which are however, interested in adoption of nuclear desalination for the sustainable water resources. Socio-economic & environmental aspects and the public perception are also important factors requiring greater information exchange.