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Corresponding Author

Gad, Helmy

Subject Area

Mechanical Power Engineering

Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Due to the continuously increasing demand for fresh water in the desert and remote areas, the development of non-conventional water resources in Egypt is essential. The most advanced and promising desalination system is the reverse osmosis (RO) system. In this paper, a 5000 m3/day RO desalination plant in the city of Nuweiba in Sinai, Egypt is taken as a case study. The measured data of the plant are recorded during 5 years of its normal operation. Also, experimental tests are carried out on site to investigate the influence of the main design and -operating parameters on the plant performance. The RO system is found to be sensitive to the variation in the feed water temperature, pressure and salinity. The used maintenance schedule is also seen to be suitable for the plant, since the change in plant performance during the operation period is not noticeable. On the other hand, a cost analysis is carried out on the RO plant components. The major factors affecting the cost of product water of this plant are the power consumption and capital cost. Surprisingly, the chemical treatment cost is one of the lowest in percentage. In this case, the power consumption cost is 35.1% and the capital cost is 33.6% and that of maintenance and repairs represent only 4.9% while the chemical treatment represents 10.6% of the total cost.

Keywords

Desalination; Reverse osmosis plant; Seawater; case study; Nuweiba city

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