Comparison of Selected Desalination Processes

TECHNOLOGY Operational Temperature Process Electricity Consumption Motive Steam Pressure (min) Possible unit size (up to) Possible / Achievable GOR Possible number of effects Product quality received (kWh/c3) (ata) c3/day MEMBRANE Ambient SWRO 3.3-5.0 N/A 50,000 N/A N/A Stage 1: 400 Stage 2: 40 Seawater quality Deep water or beach wells Possible but risky None None High Temp. MSF 3.0-3.5 2.2-5 60,000 10 30 <5 Pumps, valves & plant weight Shallow water MED 1.3-1.4 0.35 25,000 10-14 7-25 <5 Vessel size Shallow water THERMAL Low Temperature TVCMED 1.0-1.3 2.2-2.5 35,000 14-17 15-18 <5 Vessel size Shallow water MVC 7.2.0-9.0 N/A 5,000 N/A 5 <5

(ppm TDS)

Limiting factors

Compressor

Minimum intake requirements Fully automatic and unattended operation Tolerance to operators faults Tolerance to changing sea water composition and pollution Requirement for sophisticated pretreatment (in case of contaminated seawater

Shallow water Possible High High

Possible Possible Possible Medium High High High High High

Necessary

Minimal

Minimal

Minimal

Minimal

Process Chemical and anti-scalant consumption Maintenance requirements Spare Parts or requirements of replacement parts Spare parts (% of equip./year) Civil works maintenance Heat transfer area Failure potential if corrosion occurs Periodic cleaning (months) Operational Skilled Manpower Requirements Precise manufacturing requirements Ratio between product and total seawater flow Experience Available Annual Availability (%) Reliability (Process) Plan Life Expectancy in years

SWRO Medium High

High replacement of membranes

MSF High Low Low 2 High High 3-6 Medium Medium 0.150.20 High 90-92 Medium 25-30

MED Low Low Low 0.5-1 Low Low 18-24 Low Low 0.250.30 High 96-98 High 25-30

TVCMED Low Low Low 0.5-1 Low Low 18-24 Low Low 0.350.40 High 96-98 High 25-30

MVC Low Low Low <1 Low Low 18-24+ Low Low 0.40-0.45 High 96-98 High 25-30

(%/year) (%/year)

1.5-2 0.5 N/A High 3-12 High High 0.45-0.50 Medium 92-95 Medium 12-15