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As freshwater sources become increasingly stressed,many coastal communities are looking to seawaterdesalination to augment their supplies and meet growingdemand. Seawater desalination is an energy-intensiveprocess, however, with energy expenses accountingfor a significant part of the process operating cost. Thisarticle looks at the factors affecting energy consumptionfor seawater desalination and discusses design and technologicaldevelopments that can improve efficiency.Although the salinity of the feedwater affects theenergy consumed during desalination, energy consumptionis also influenced by such factors as recovery, flux,membrane type, ancillary processes, type of equipment,and energy-recovery devices. To improve efficiency,utilities must take into account design and operation ofall these components.Recent advances in desalination technology aremaking the process more energy-efficient and cost-effective.Water providers can do their part by optimizingsystem design to foster energy efficiency so that,ultimately, more communities can economically tapinto untapped sources of supply. Includes 19 references, table, figures.

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Edition: Vol. 99 - No. 6 Published: 06/01/2007 Number of Pages: 12File Size: 1 file , 960 KB