Desalination: latest trends in optimal design, energy reduction, fouling minimization and costs

摘要

Many coastal regions needing to meet increasing water demand areconsidering alternate source such as desalination of seawater or reuse.While these sources reduce the stress on fresh water and be droughtproof,the cost is still an issue and can vary considerably. For example,the cost of desalinated water in 1991 in Santa Barbara, Calif., was $4.62/kgal (1991 dollars). The current cost of desalinated water ranges from$2.50-$5.00/kgal (2019 dollars) depending on location. This wide rangeis often confusing for utilities that are considering seawater desalination.This paper will discuss the factors affecting desalination costs andits sensitivity as a function of each of these factors.