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Evaluation of Solar Energy Powered Seawater Desalination Processes: A Review

Author

Listed:
  • Mudhar A. Al-Obaidi

    (Technical Institute of Baquba, Middle Technical University, Baghdad 10074, Iraq)

  • Rana H. A. Zubo

    (Technical Engineering College Kirkuk, Northern Technical University, Kirkuk 36001, Iraq)

  • Farhan Lafta Rashid

    (Petroleum Engineering Department, College of Engineering, University of Kerbala, Karbala 56001, Iraq)

  • Hassan J. Dakkama

    (Technical Engineering College-Baghdad, Middle Technical University, Baghdad 10074, Iraq)

  • Raed Abd-Alhameed

    (Department of Biomedical and Electronics Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Informatics, University of Bradford, Bradford BD7 1DP, UK
    Department of Information and Communication Engineering, College of Science and Technology, Basrah University, Basra 61004, Iraq)

  • Iqbal M. Mujtaba

    (Chemical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering and Informatics, University of Bradford, Bradford BD7 1DP, UK)

Abstract

Solar energy, amongst all renewable energies, has attracted inexhaustible attention all over the world as a supplier of sustainable energy. The energy requirement of major seawater desalination processes such as multistage flash (MSF), multi-effect distillation (MED) and reverse osmosis (RO) are fulfilled by burning fossil fuels, which impact the environment significantly due to the emission of greenhouse gases. The integration of solar energy systems into seawater desalination processes is an attractive and alternative solution to fossil fuels. This study aims to (i) assess the progress of solar energy systems including concentrated solar power (CSP) and photovoltaic (PV) to power both thermal and membrane seawater desalination processes including MSF, MED, and RO and (ii) evaluate the economic considerations and associated challenges with recommendations for further improvements. Thus, several studies on a different combination of seawater desalination processes of solar energy systems are reviewed and analysed concerning specific energy consumption and freshwater production cost. It is observed that although solar energy systems have the potential of reducing carbon footprint significantly, the cost of water production still favours the use of fossil fuels. Further research and development on solar energy systems are required to make their use in desalination economically viable. Alternatively, the carbon tax on the use of fossil fuels may persuade desalination industries to adopt renewable energy such as solar.

Suggested Citation

  • Mudhar A. Al-Obaidi & Rana H. A. Zubo & Farhan Lafta Rashid & Hassan J. Dakkama & Raed Abd-Alhameed & Iqbal M. Mujtaba, 2022. "Evaluation of Solar Energy Powered Seawater Desalination Processes: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-16, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:18:p:6562-:d:909782
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Juan Pablo Santana & Carlos I. Rivera-Solorio & Jia Wei Chew & Yong Zen Tan & Miguel Gijón-Rivera & Iván Acosta-Pazmiño, 2023. "Performance Assessment of Coupled Concentrated Photovoltaic-Thermal and Vacuum Membrane Distillation (CPVT-VMD) System for Water Desalination," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-21, February.
    2. Sagar Shelare & Ravinder Kumar & Trupti Gajbhiye & Sumit Kanchan, 2023. "Role of Geothermal Energy in Sustainable Water Desalination—A Review on Current Status, Parameters, and Challenges," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-22, March.
    3. Tashtoush, Bourhan & Alyahya, Wa'ed & Al Ghadi, Malak & Al-Omari, Jamal & Morosuk, Tatiana, 2023. "Renewable energy integration in water desalination: State-of-the-art review and comparative analysis," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 352(C).

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