skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Dual-purpose desalting, RO versus MSF an economic comparison

Journal Article · · WSIA J.; (United States)
OSTI ID:5646245
 [1];
  1. E.I. Du Pont Co., Wilmington, DE

Capital and annual operating costs are estimated for producing water using three combinations of seawater reverse osmosis and gas turbines. The costs and operating parameters were developed for Middle East conditions assuming a Red Sea water source. The plants were designed to produce 37,850 m/sup 3//d (10 mgd) of potable water and to export 50,000 kW of power. The reverse osmosis plant utilizes energy recovery and was designed with full pretreatment for a surface water supply. Electricity is provided by either gas turbines, steam turbines, or combined cycle plants. Power and water costs developed for these systems were compared to costs for conventional, dual-purpose MSF/steam turbine plants for the same water and power production. These evaluations considered two levels of fuel costs. The results of this study show the significant effect of fuel costs on process selection and on water and power costs. Capital and operating costs were 20 to 28 percent less and 23 to 33 percent less, respectively, for the RO/gas turbine and RO/combined cycle plants as compared to conventional, dual-purpose MSF steam turbine plants. In addition to economics, the merits of the systems are discussed relative to delivery, ease and flexibility of operation, turndown capability, and so forth.

OSTI ID:
5646245
Journal Information:
WSIA J.; (United States), Vol. 10:1
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English