The Manufacture of Potable Water: Case Analyses of Electric System Alternatives

Potable water within significant areas of the nations of the Arabian Gulf region is most frequently manufactured (cogenerated) along with electricity. The most economic process has been Multi-Stage Flash whereby the surplus thermal energy of the power generation process is used to "distill" brackish or sea water. Other methods that depended on electrical energy such as Reverse Osmosis and Electro dialysis have traditionally been too expensive for widespread use. Dramatic improvements in osmotic membranes have made R/O a competitive technology and as a result changed the requirement for co-location of electrical generation and water production. The paper presents a detailed modeling structure with which to evaluate alternate business investment opportunities for production of water. This paper reviews the alternative technologies, their electrical requirements and provides a detailed business case analysis for the development of distributed desalination facilities in both Saudi Arabia and other arid and semi-arid zones such as the Southwest of the United States. The conclusion points to the relationship between water and electrical product in the decade ahead.