Leveraging life cycle assessment and simplex lattice design in optimizing fossil fuel blends for sustainable desalination

Abstract

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Assessing Seawater Desalination using Reverse Osmosis and Multi-effect Distillation for Kuwait using Life Cycle Assessment: fossil fuels versus solar power

“…The environmental assessment for four desalination/energy systems considered include MED and SWRO coupled with different energy systems: natural gas (NG), solar thermal, and photovoltaic (PV). Technical aspects include the net power output, and efficiencies, among others [2,14]. We used local electricity and proposed alternative energy models, including solar power and solar energy [7].…”

“…Our area of focus, the GCC [12], presents an intricate paradox of severe water scarcity coupled with staggered water consumption, which is a result of rentierism, socio-economic situation of the GCC region. The GCC regions have long relied on costly thermal seawater desalination, followed by high abstraction of nonrenewable groundwater resources, to satisfy their demand for water [3,13,14]. The availability of fossil fuels at a low extraction cost has slowed the conversion to energy efficient desalination in the GCC, such as multistage flash distillation (MSF) [2,14].…”

“…The GCC regions have long relied on costly thermal seawater desalination, followed by high abstraction of nonrenewable groundwater resources, to satisfy their demand for water [3,13,14]. The availability of fossil fuels at a low extraction cost has slowed the conversion to energy efficient desalination in the GCC, such as multistage flash distillation (MSF) [2,14]. Currently, mega desalination projects in the GCC are migrating to membrane-based desalination plants (DPs) [15][16][17].…”

Life Cycle Assessment for Tertiary Wastewater Treatment and Reuse versus Seawater Desalination

“…Given this forecast, relying on recycling water is indispensable. Especially, with deteriorating environmental indicators and huge impact on the economy [3,8]. Energy and water cogeneration is responsible for considerable GHG emissions [9].…”

“…Approximately half of GCC oil production is consumed for and energy and water co-generation. The abundance of fossil fuels at relatively low extraction costs has allowed for more desalination [3]. With the global movement that urges sustainable energy and water production, oil prices are expected to fall within 2030; water and energy are pushed to decouple and decentralize; and use treated wastewater (TWW).…”