Abstract
Nuclear desalination has been identified as an alternative option with much lower carbon dioxide emissions to provide fresh water by driving high capacity desalination plants. This work considers a theoretical analysis of using nuclear desalination to provide fresh water in three selected Saudi Arabian cities. It presents a theoretical model that integrates the characteristics of nuclear reactor, power cycle and desalination blocks. The power block includes three steam turbines and five feed water heaters. It is coupled via low pressure turbine to a multiple effect desalination unit integrated with a thermal vapor compressor encompassing eight effects, seven feed preheaters and a down condenser. The output includes work generated as function of fuel mass and reactor type, enrichment percentage, power and water production with different nuclear reactor type. Desalination performance indicators such as the fresh water production rate, gain output ratio (GOR), specific energy consumption (SEC) and specific cooling water mass flow rate have been evaluated and analyzed as function of sea water temperature for three specific Saudi cities. It was found that these indicators reflect better performance along a year for Jizan city than for Jubail and Tabuk. The case of Jizan city gives over the whole year more uniform values of water production rates, gain output ratio, specific energy consumption and cooling water mass flow rates.
Funding source: King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology
Award Identifier / Grant number: 2-17-02-001-0056
-
Author contributions: All the authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this submitted manuscript and approved submission.
-
Research funding: This research was funded by National Plan for Science, Technology and Innovation (MAARIFAH), King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, grant number 2-17-02-001-0056.
-
Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding this article.
References
Adak, A.K. and Tewari, P.K. (2014). Technical feasibility study for coupling a desalination plant to an advanced heavy water reactor. Desalination 337: 76–82, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2013.11.004.Search in Google Scholar
Alasfour, F.N., Darwish, M.A., and Bin Amer, A.O. (2005). Thermal analysis of ME—TVC+MEE desalination systems. Desalination 174: 39–61, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2004.08.039.Search in Google Scholar
Alessi, Y.M. and Al-Rabiah, A.A. (2022). A feasibility study of utilizing nuclear energy for an existing MED-TVC desalination plant. Appl. Sci. (Basel, Switzerland) 12: 9506, https://doi.org/10.3390/app12199506.Search in Google Scholar
Aljohani, M.S., Fattah, A.R.A.F.A., and Almarshad, A.I. (2004). The role of nuclear desalination in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Int. J. Nucl. Desalination 1: 188, https://doi.org/10.1504/ijnd.2004.003672.Search in Google Scholar
Al-Mutaz, I.S. and Wazeer, I. (2014). Development of a steady-state mathematical model for MEE-TVC desalination plants. Desalination 351: 9–18, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2014.07.018.Search in Google Scholar
Al-Othman, A., Darwish, N.N., Qasim, M., Tawalbeh, M., Darwish, N.A., and Hilal, N. (2019). Nuclear desalination: a state-of-the-art review. Desalination 457: 39–61, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2019.01.002.Search in Google Scholar
Amer, A.O.B. (2009). Development and optimization of ME-TVC desalination system. Desalination 249: 1315–1331, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2009.06.026.Search in Google Scholar
Boschi, T. (2020). New physics and new technologies in next-generation neutrino experiments. Queen Mary University, London.Search in Google Scholar
Dong, Z., Liu, M., Huang, X., Zhang, Y., Zhang, Z., and Dong, Y. (2019). Dynamical modeling and simulation analysis of a nuclear desalination plant based on the MED-TVC process. Desalination 456: 121–135, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2019.01.020.Search in Google Scholar
Dudek, M. and Jaszczur, M. (2017). An analysis of the thermodynamic cycles with high-temperature nuclear reactor for power generation and hydrogen co-production. E3S Web Conf. 14: 01046, https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/20171401046.Search in Google Scholar
Duderstadt, J.J. and Hamilton, L.J. (1976). Nuclear reactor analysis. Nashville, TN: John Wiley & Sons.Search in Google Scholar
El-Dessouky, H.T. and Ettouney, H.M. (2002). Fundamentals of salt water desalination. London, England: Elsevier Science.Search in Google Scholar
El-Dessouky, H.T., Ettouney, H.M., and Al-Juwayhel, F. (2000). Multiple effect evaporation—vapour compression desalination processes. Chem. Eng. Res. Des.: Trans. Inst. Chem. Eng. 78: 662–676, https://doi.org/10.1205/026387600527626.Search in Google Scholar
El-Emam, R.S., Ozcan, H., Bhattacharyya, R., and Awerbuch, L. (2022). Nuclear desalination: a sustainable route to water security. Desalination 542: 116082, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2022.116082.Search in Google Scholar
El-Wakil, M.M. (1971). Nuclear heat transport. Int. Textbook 1–502.Search in Google Scholar
El-Wakil, M.M. (1985). Powerplant technology. Maidenhead, England: McGraw Hill Higher Education.Search in Google Scholar
Eshoul, N., Almutairi, A., Lamidi, R., Alhajeri, H., and Alenezi, A. (2018). Energetic, exergetic, and economic analysis of MED-TVC water desalination plant with and without preheating. Water 10: 305, https://doi.org/10.3390/w10030305.Search in Google Scholar
Gen, W. (2014). Technology roadmap update for generation IV nuclear energy systems. Gen-4.org. Available at: https://www.gen-4.org/gif/upload/docs/application/pdf/2014-03/gif-tru2014.pdf.Search in Google Scholar
IAEA (2022). Nuclear power reactors in the world, 42nd ed. Vienna, Austria: IAEA.Search in Google Scholar
Ihm, S., Al-Najdi, O.Y., Hamed, O.A., Jun, G., and Chung, H. (2016). Energy cost comparison between MSF, MED and SWRO: case studies for dual purpose plants. Desalination 397: 116–125, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2016.06.029.Search in Google Scholar
International Atomic Energy Agency (2000). Desalination economic evaluation program (DEEP). User’s manual.Search in Google Scholar
International Energy Agency (2021). World energy outlook 2021. OECD.Search in Google Scholar
Khan, S.U.-D., Almutairi, Z., and Alanazi, M. (2021a). Techno-economic assessment of fuel cycle facility of system integrated modular advanced reactor (SMART). Sustainability 13: 11815, https://doi.org/10.3390/su132111815.Search in Google Scholar
Khan, S.U.-D. and Nakhabov, A.V. (2020). Nuclear reactor technology development and utilization, 1st ed. Woodhead Publishing, USA.Search in Google Scholar
Khan, S. U.-D., Almutairi, Z., and Alanazi, M. (2021b). Safety analysis of pool‐type double containment of system‐integrated modular advanced reactor: a case study for Saudi Arabia. Int. J. Energy Res. 45: 12047–12058, https://doi.org/10.1002/er.6034.Search in Google Scholar
Khan, S.U.-D. and Ahmad, A. (2021a). Testing the pollution haven hypothesis on the pathway of sustainable development: accounting the role of nuclear energy consumption. Nucl. Eng. Technol. 53: 2746–2752, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.net.2021.02.008.Search in Google Scholar
Kim, B.K. and Jeong, Y.H. (2013). High cooling water temperature effects on design and operational safety of NPPs in the gulf region. Nucl. Eng. Technol. 45: 961–968, https://doi.org/10.5516/net.03.2012.079.Search in Google Scholar
Kim, H.S. and No, H.C. (2012). Thermal coupling of HTGRs and MED desalination plants, and its performance and cost analysis for nuclear desalination. Desalination 303: 17–22, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2012.07.004.Search in Google Scholar
Kouhikamali, R. (2013). Thermodynamic analysis of feed water pre-heaters in multiple effect distillation systems. Appl. Therm. Eng. 50: 1157–1163, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2012.08.055.Search in Google Scholar
LaMarsh, J.R. (2002). Introduction to nuclear reactor theory. La Grange Park, IL: American Nuclear Society.Search in Google Scholar
Lucas, M. and Tabourier, B. (1985). The mechanical vapour compression process applied to seawater desalination: a 1,500 ton/day unit installed in the nuclear power plant of Flamanville, France. Desalination 52: 123–133, https://doi.org/10.1016/0011-9164(85)85003-7.Search in Google Scholar
Mansouri, N.Y. and Ghoniem, A.F. (2017). Does nuclear desalination make sense for Saudi Arabia? Desalination 406: 37–43, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2016.07.009.Search in Google Scholar
Mistry, K.H., Antar, M.A., and Lienhard V, J.H. (2013). An improved model for multiple effect distillation. Desalination Water Treat. 51: 807–821, https://doi.org/10.1080/19443994.2012.703383.Search in Google Scholar
Mukhtar, A., Saqib, S., Ullah, S., Sagir, M., Tahir, M.B., Mahmood, A., Al-Sehemi, A.G., Assiri, M.A., Ibrahim, M. and Ali, A. (2021). Nuclear desalination. In: Sustainable materials and systems for water desalination. Cham: Springer International Publishing, pp. 121–135.10.1007/978-3-030-72873-1_8Search in Google Scholar
Nuclear Fuel (2011). Alphascript Publishing.Search in Google Scholar
Polat, M.F. and Dincer, I. (2018). Comparative evaluation of possible desalination options for akkuyu nuclear power plant. In: Exergetic, Energetic and environmental dimensions. Elsevier, USA, pp. 583–596.10.1016/B978-0-12-813734-5.00033-0Search in Google Scholar
PRIS – home (2023). Iaea.org. Available at: https://pris.iaea.org/pris/home.aspx.Search in Google Scholar
Schmidt, J.M. and Gude, V.G. (2021). Nuclear cogeneration for cleaner desalination and power generation – a feasibility study. Cleaner Eng. Technol. 2: 100044, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clet.2021.100044.Search in Google Scholar
Tawalbeh, M., Al-Othman, A., Abdelwahab, N., Alami, A.H., and Olabi, A.G. (2021). Recent developments in pressure retarded osmosis for desalination and power generation. Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev. 138: 110492, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2020.110492.Search in Google Scholar
Todreas, N.E., Kazimi, M.S., and Massoud, M. (2021). Nuclear systems volume II: Elements of thermal hydraulic design, 2nd ed. Oakville, MO: Apple Academic Press.10.1201/9780429157608Search in Google Scholar
Wang, C., Yan, C., Wang, J., Tian, C., and Yu, S. (2017). Parametric optimization of steam cycle in PWR nuclear power plant using improved genetic-simplex algorithm. Appl. Therm. Eng. 125: 830–845, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2017.07.045.Search in Google Scholar
World energy needs and nuclear power (2023). World-nuclear.org. Available at: https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/current-and-future-generation/world-energy-needs-and-nuclear-power.aspx.Search in Google Scholar
World nuclear performance report 2021 – world nuclear association (2021). World-nuclear.org. Available at: https://world-nuclear.org/our-association/publications/global-trends-reports/world-nuclear-performance-report.aspx.Search in Google Scholar
Zhou, S., Gong, L., Liu, X., and Shen, S. (2019). Mathematical modeling and performance analysis for multi-effect evaporation/multi-effect evaporation with thermal vapor compression desalination system. Appl. Therm. Eng. 159: 113759, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2019.113759.Search in Google Scholar
© 2023 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Scaling effect on cesium diffusion in compacted MX-80 bentonite for buffer materials in HLW repository
- Enhanced heat transfer in corrugated plate fin heat sink
- Discussion of options to increase the control drum worth in fast reactor
- New semi-empirical systematic of (p,n) reaction cross section at 7.5 MeV
- Computational analysis of nuclear desalination system under various configurations
- Performance analysis of nuclear powered desalination unit based on MED-TVC: a case study for Saudi Arabia
- Analysis of 4-inch cold leg top-slot break LOCA in ATLAS experimental facility using MARS-KS
- Evaluating the performance of Indonesia’s nuclear energy program using INPRO methodology
- Thermal hydraulic analysis of VVER spent fuels stored in vault dry system under different operating and design conditions
- Comparative analysis of swelling and porosity evolution in UO2 fuel via two approaches
- Euler–Maruyama algorithm in estimating UGV path and location in nuclear emergency and security applications
- Modeling and simulation of deposited energy gain via irradiation of heavy ion beams on the fusion reactor contains spherical fuel capsules with foam
- Calendar of events
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Scaling effect on cesium diffusion in compacted MX-80 bentonite for buffer materials in HLW repository
- Enhanced heat transfer in corrugated plate fin heat sink
- Discussion of options to increase the control drum worth in fast reactor
- New semi-empirical systematic of (p,n) reaction cross section at 7.5 MeV
- Computational analysis of nuclear desalination system under various configurations
- Performance analysis of nuclear powered desalination unit based on MED-TVC: a case study for Saudi Arabia
- Analysis of 4-inch cold leg top-slot break LOCA in ATLAS experimental facility using MARS-KS
- Evaluating the performance of Indonesia’s nuclear energy program using INPRO methodology
- Thermal hydraulic analysis of VVER spent fuels stored in vault dry system under different operating and design conditions
- Comparative analysis of swelling and porosity evolution in UO2 fuel via two approaches
- Euler–Maruyama algorithm in estimating UGV path and location in nuclear emergency and security applications
- Modeling and simulation of deposited energy gain via irradiation of heavy ion beams on the fusion reactor contains spherical fuel capsules with foam
- Calendar of events