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Analysis of Brackish Water Desalination for Municipal Uses: Case Studies on Challenges and Opportunities

Journal Article · · ACS ES&T Engineering

Brackish water is a widely available, nontraditional water resource that can augment limited freshwater supplies. Although brackish water desalination has been continuously implemented in the United States and worldwide, it is necessary to reduce further its energy consumption, costs, and environmental impacts. This study conducted technoeconomic analyses to evaluate the current desalination and brine management technologies, focusing on the key factors and opportunities for sustainable brackish water desalination for municipal uses. Three case studies were selected as baseline representative of different geographic and operational conditions, including water quality, plant size, pretreatment, desalination, and concentrate management. Here, the technoeconomic analyses and model simulations identified challenges, opportunities, and research priorities to achieve specific pathways for enhanced brackish water desalination regarding levelized costs of water, electricity intensity, water recovery, zero liquid discharge, and brine valorization.

Research Organization:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Energy Efficiency Office. Advanced Manufacturing Office
Grant/Contract Number:
AC36-08GO28308
OSTI ID:
1847273
Report Number(s):
NREL/JA-7A40-81413; MainId:82186; UUID:79440e7c-5009-4cc4-acb6-93df7521491f; MainAdminID:63970
Journal Information:
ACS ES&T Engineering, Journal Name: ACS ES&T Engineering Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 2; ISSN 2690-0645
Publisher:
American Chemical Society (ACS)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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