Design and cost optimization of small-scale PV-powered reverse osmosis desalination

Dissertant

Hajji, Safa

Thesis advisor

Bintamy, Anas

Comitee Members

Hashimi, Said
Darhamawi, Hassani

University

Al Akhawayn University

Faculty

School of Science and Engineering

University Country

Morocco

Degree

Master

Degree Date

2014

English Abstract

Photovoltaic-powered reverse osmosis (PVRO) desalination can potentially be the solution to two major global issues: water and energy.

This technique not only increases water supply but also decreases the dependency on fossil fuels.

The first part of this thesis deals with the design of a small-scale PVRO desalination unit, given the daily water needs, in addition to conducting an economic analysis to determine both the total investment costs and the cost of water in DH/m3.

For the case study of a potential 20 m3/day PVRO station in Dakhla, in Morocco, the system configuration that has the lowest investments and water costs is the one with an energy recovery system and separate components (HP pump, pressure exchanger and booster pump).

The specific energy consumption of such system was found to be 2.92 kWh/m3.

Economically speaking, the total costs over a 10-year period for this system is 1,056,024 DH, producing water at a cost of 15.47 DH/m3.

On the other hand, when using a 4% discount rate, the net present value (NPV) of the total costs for this system over 10 years, is about 900,000 dirhams, whereas the water cost is 12.34 DH/m3.

The second part presents an effective methodology for determining the optimal design configuration for a PVRO desalination station.

For our case study, we obtained two optimal solutions, both of which operate with one machine only.

The first one, which yields the lowest initial investment (828,000 DH), consists of installing one RO machine with a nominal capacity of 36 m3/day, 23 kWp of PV power and 50.5 kWh of battery storage.

The second optimal combination, which generates the lowest cost of water during 10 years (14.28 DH/m3), consists of installing one bigger RO machine having a capacity of 72 m3/day, 32 kWp of PV power and 38.5 kWh of battery storage.

All costs in this case are using a 0% discount rate.

Main Subjects

Earth Sciences, Water and Environment

Topics

• Solar energy
• Costs
• Desalination
• Saline water
• Morocco
• Water treatment plants
• al-Dakhla

No. of Pages

104

Table of Contents

• APA
• MLA
• AMA

Language

English

Data Type

Arab Theses

Record ID

BIM-645592