Etudes, analyses et optimisation de la consommation énergétique des unités de dessalement pour les sites isolés

Abstract

Water desalination is one of the most important factors that can help in developing remote areas and the desert. A critical technical parameter of desalination applications is the way the system is powered. This decision is taken according to the selected method of desalination and the characteristics of the candidate area. Nowadays, the method of reverse osmosis dominates globally; it requires only electricity, has a quite low specific energy demand, and can cooperate with technologies of renewable energy sources such as wind turbine and photovoltaics. Hence, renewable energy-powered reverse osmosis systems are promising technologies for brackish and seawater desalination in remote regions as they exhibit low energy consumption and can be designed according to water demand and energy resource. This study explores the feasibility of wind-desalination concepts in southern Algeria, and evaluates their economic and environmental viability. A reverse osmosis desalination system powered by a stand-alone wind turbine of 1 MW rated power and equipped with an energy recovery device is proposed to supply fresh water, from brackish water, to the rural world of three potentially high-wind sites in the southwest of Algeria, namely Adrar, Timimoun, and Tindouf. The effect of different operating and design conditions on the system performance is investigated. The paper is concluded with the economic and environmental feasibility of wind powered desalination systems for the presented case.