INTRODUCTION Desalination is considered a source for drinking water and a mitigation action for...
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INTRODUCTION Desalination is considered a source for drinking water and a mitigation action for water scarcity. The increase of desalination plants is due to population growth, climate change and water management [2]. However, little work has been undertaken to explore the impact of desalination in the presence of a natural hazard. Many countries have started to use this technology. As cities continue to expand their water supply gets more difficult. The desalination capacity has increased in the past years being Saudi Arabia in the top of the list followed by the US, the UAE, Kuwait, Japan and Spain among others. Focus of the study. Population growth in countries like China and India will remain high compared to Mexico, Japan and Spain. Some of these countries are more prone to certain natural hazards such as earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis, etc. OBJECTIVE A study on desalination plants and natural hazard because they can either be a mitigation source for water scarcity or be turned into a greater disaster. A Tsunami took place in north Japan as a consequence of a magnitude 9 Earthquake on March 11, 2011 creating a nuclear crisis. The dramatic event was considered as the biggest disaster since WWII [7]. Nuclear desalination plant safety depends mainly on the safety of the nuclear reactor and the interface between the nuclear plant and the desalination system [8]. In Japan, there are 53 nuclear pants and some ten desalination facilities linked to pressurized water reactors operating for electricity production yield some 14,000 m³/day of potable water[9].Today the problem still remains. REFERENCES 1. Schwikert, Shane et. al. Water Scarcity: Tomorrow´s Problems. U. of Michigan. 2.Bates, B.C.,et al. 2008: Climate Change and Water. Technical Paper of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, IPCC Secretariat, Geneva 3.United Nations. The 2008 Revision Population Database. 4.Global Water Intelligence Desalination Tracker. 5.World Desalination Capacity up to 2010. UNEP/GRID-Arendal, Water desalination, UNEP/GRID-Arendal Maps and Graphics Library, 6.Arthur M. et. al. Department of Regional Development and Environment. Executive Secretariat for Economic and Social Affairs Organization of American States.1990 Disaster, Planning and Development: Managing Natural Hazards to Reduce Loss. 7. The New York Times 8. World Nuclear Association (WNA) 9. International Atomic Energy Agency IAEA 10. Lentech Technologies 11. Younos, Tamim, et. al. Overview of Desalination Techniques. Journal of Contemporary Water Resarch & Education (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University), no. 132 (Diciembre 2005): 3-10. 12. Charcosset, Catherine. A review of membrane processes and renewable energies for desalination. Desalination 245, no. 1-3 (September 2009): 214-231 Seawater Desalination process separates saline seawater into two streams: a fresh water stream with a low concentration of dissolved salts and a concentrated brine stream. Technologies. Classified into: Non-membrane Technologies which use thermal energy such as multi-stage flash (MSF) and multi-effect distillation (MED). This is the oldest and most commonly used method of desalination, and its distillation units routinely use designs that conserve as much thermal energy as possible by interchanging the heat of condensation and heat of vaporization. The major energy requirement in the distillation process thus becomes providing the heat for vaporization to the feed water. Membrane technologies: A selective membrane allows water to flow from one side to the other leaving behind all impurities. The limiting factors are: feed stream characteristics, membrane cleaning, concentration polarization and fouling. Reverse osmosis (RO) is becoming a popular process today. Other processes such as forward osmosis (FO) and the use of alternative energies are grabbing researchers attention. Membrane technologies are preferred over thermal ones. They allow for continuous operations close to ambient temperatures and offer a wider selection of large equipment and modules. This makes it possible to design processes according to potable water standards and ease the use of membranes and other separation technologies together. Hybrid systems, nuclear energy and co- generation are also contemplated. The look of Desalination and Natural Hazards Arregoitia Sarabia, Carla Adriana [email protected] Figure 2 Population Changes in China, India, Japan, Mexico and Spain in 2050 [3] Figure 3 Countries with projects in construction with a more than 150,000m 3 /d capacity [4] Figure 4 World Desalination Capacity up to 2010 [5] Figure 1 Projected Water Scarcity in 2025 [1] The most important aspects for a desalination plant are the location of the plant, brine disposal management and the energy considerations. However, this can be sometimes affected by a natural adversity if no precautions are taken and turn desalination into a thread. A natural hazard is a random natural event of unusual intensity that threatens people's lives or their activities. Atmospheric hazards are weather-related events, whereas geologic hazards happen on or within the Earth's surface. It is important to understand that the capricious force of nature can trigger catastrophes that could impact households, communities and even threaten life across the world depending on the desalination plant location. Los Angeles, Mexico city and Tokyo, are examples of large cities that are very affected by earthquakes. Desalination plants in these locations could face many challenges. Other places however could face other type of events. REMARKS AND RECOMMENDATIONS The water demand created by the world population growth together with climate change and water management have increased the number of desalination plants in the world. Today there are different technologies used to desalinate and countries face different natural hazards depending on their location. Desalination should consider these events to prevent a worse disaster situation. To fully understand the risks, vulnerability, cost and consequences of a desalination plant in the presence of a natural hazard a more thorough study is recommended. Type Phenomenon Atmosphe ric Hailstorms, hurricanes, lightning, tornadoes, tropical storms Seismic Fault ruptures, ground shaking, lateral spreading, liquefaction, tsunamis, seiches Other Geologic /Hydrolo gic Debris avalanches, expansive soils, landslides, rock falls, submarine slides, subsidence Hydrolog ic Coastal flooding, desertification, salinization, drought, erosion and sedimentation, river flooding, storm surges Volcanic Tephra (ash, cinders, lapilli), gases, lava flows, mudflows, projectiles and lateral blasts, pyroclastic flows Wildfire Brush, forest, grass, savannah In the presence of a natural phenomenon, plant design, risk management and decision making influence the path of the plant operation. Hazard mitigation strategies should also be considered. The following approaches are suggested to be considered for the natural hazard assessment: an evaluation of the location, severity, and probable occurrence of a hazardous event in a given time period. Each point is not exclusive and depends on the type of hazard, technology of the plant, energy used and location:1) The sustainability of the plant could be endangered due to energy requirements. They could be of any form of power energy such as thermal, electrical, mechanical, or nuclear depending on the separation process. 2) Water production might be adversely disrupted by the effects of the demand and lead to stress of the plant. 3) Feed water can get mix with dust, brine, or other type of contaminated water if tanks are open. 4) Brine control can become challenging. 5) Infrastructures damages can result in ruptures, cracks, leaks, etc. 6) Stream contamination of surrounding rivers, lakes, etc. and the plant itself changing the quality of the feed. 7) Fire can cause a major disaster. 8) Sewage system contamination. 9) Flooding in the case of heavy precipitation. 10) A major nuclear disaster in the case of nuclear power and co-generation. Table 1 Potentially Hazardous Natural Phenomena [6]
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Transcript of INTRODUCTION Desalination is considered a source for drinking water and a mitigation action for...
INTRODUCTIONDesalination is considered a source for drinking water and a mitigation action for water scarcity. The increase of desalination plants is due to population growth, climate change and water management [2]. However, little work has been undertaken to explore the impact of desalination in the presence of a natural hazard.Many countries have started to use this technology. As cities continue to expand their water supply gets more difficult. The desalination capacity has increased in the past years being Saudi Arabia in the top of the list followed by the US, the UAE, Kuwait, Japan and Spain among others. Focus of the study. Population growth in countries like China and India will remain high compared to Mexico, Japan and Spain. Some of these countries are more prone to certain natural hazards such as earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis, etc.
OBJECTIVEA study on desalination plants and natural hazard because they can either be a mitigation source for water scarcity or be turned into a greater disaster.
A Tsunami took place in north Japan as a consequence of a magnitude 9 Earthquake on March 11, 2011 creating a nuclear crisis. The dramatic event was considered as the biggest disaster since WWII [7]. Nuclear desalination plant safety depends mainly on the safety of the nuclear reactor and the interface between the nuclear plant and the desalination system [8]. In Japan, there are 53 nuclear pants and some ten desalination facilities linked to pressurized water reactors operating for electricity production yield some 14,000 m³/day of potable water[9].Today the problem still remains.
REFERENCES1. Schwikert, Shane et. al. Water Scarcity: Tomorrow´s Problems. U. of Michigan. 2.Bates, B.C.,et al. 2008: Climate Change and Water. Technical Paper of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, IPCC Secretariat, Geneva3.United Nations. The 2008 Revision Population Database.4.Global Water Intelligence Desalination Tracker. 5.World Desalination Capacity up to 2010. UNEP/GRID-Arendal, Water desalination, UNEP/GRID-Arendal Maps and Graphics Library, 6.Arthur M. et. al. Department of Regional Development and Environment. Executive Secretariat for Economic and Social Affairs Organization of American States.1990 Disaster, Planning and Development: Managing Natural Hazards to Reduce Loss. 7. The New York Times8. World Nuclear Association (WNA)9. International Atomic Energy Agency IAEA10. Lentech Technologies11. Younos, Tamim, et. al. Overview of Desalination Techniques. Journal of Contemporary Water Resarch & Education (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University), no. 132 (Diciembre 2005): 3-10.12. Charcosset, Catherine. A review of membrane processes and renewable energies for desalination. Desalination 245, no. 1-3 (September 2009): 214-231
Seawater Desalination process separates saline seawater into two streams: a fresh water stream with a low concentration of dissolved salts and a concentrated brine stream. Technologies. Classified into: Non-membrane Technologies which use thermal energy such as multi-stage flash (MSF) and multi-effect distillation (MED). This is the oldest and most commonly used method of desalination, and its distillation units routinely use designs that conserve as much thermal energy as possible by interchanging the heat of condensation and heat of vaporization. The major energy requirement in the distillation process thus becomes providing the heat for vaporization to the feed water. Membrane technologies: A selective membrane allows water to flow from one side to the other leaving behind all impurities. The limiting factors are: feed stream characteristics, membrane cleaning, concentration polarization and fouling. Reverse osmosis (RO) is becoming a popular process today. Other processes such as forward osmosis (FO) and the use of alternative energies are grabbing researchers attention. Membrane technologies are preferred over thermal ones. They allow for continuous operations close to ambient temperatures and offer a wider selection of large equipment and modules. This makes it possible to design processes according to potable water standards and ease the use of membranes and other separation technologies together. Hybrid systems, nuclear energy and co-generation are also contemplated.
The look of Desalination and Natural HazardsArregoitia Sarabia, Carla Adriana
Figure 2 Population Changes in China, India, Japan, Mexico and Spain in 2050 [3]
Figure 3 Countries with projects in construction with a more than 150,000m3/d capacity [4]
Figure 4 World Desalination Capacity up to 2010 [5]
Figure 1 Projected Water Scarcity in 2025 [1]
The most important aspects for a desalination plant are the location of the plant, brine disposal management and the energy considerations. However, this can be sometimes affected by a natural adversity if no precautions are taken and turn desalination into a thread. A natural hazard is a random natural event of unusual intensity that threatens people's lives or their activities. Atmospheric hazards are weather-related events, whereas geologic hazards happen on or within the Earth's surface. It is important to understand that the capricious force of nature can trigger catastrophes that could impact households, communities and even threaten life across the world depending on the desalination plant location. Los Angeles, Mexico city and Tokyo, are examples of large cities that are very affected by earthquakes. Desalination plants in these locations could face many challenges. Other places however could face other type of events.
REMARKS AND RECOMMENDATIONSThe water demand created by the world population growth together with climate change and water management have increased the number of desalination plants in the world. Today there are different technologies used to desalinate and countries face different natural hazards depending on their location. Desalination should consider these events to prevent a worse disaster situation. To fully understand the risks, vulnerability, cost and consequences of a desalination plant in the presence of a natural hazard a more thorough study is recommended.
Type Phenomenon
Atmospheric Hailstorms, hurricanes, lightning, tornadoes, tropical stormsSeismic Fault ruptures, ground shaking, lateral spreading, liquefaction, tsunamis, seiches
Other Geologic/Hydrologic
Debris avalanches, expansive soils, landslides, rock falls, submarine slides, subsidence
Hydrologic Coastal flooding, desertification, salinization, drought, erosion and sedimentation, river flooding, storm surges
Volcanic Tephra (ash, cinders, lapilli), gases, lava flows, mudflows, projectiles and lateral blasts, pyroclastic flows
Wildfire Brush, forest, grass, savannah
In the presence of a natural phenomenon, plant design, risk management and decision making influence the path of the plant operation. Hazard mitigation strategies should also be considered. The following approaches are suggested to be considered for the natural hazard assessment: an evaluation of the location, severity, and probable occurrence of a hazardous event in a given time period. Each point is not exclusive and depends on the type of hazard, technology of the plant, energy used and location:1) The sustainability of the plant could be endangered due to energy requirements. They could be of any form of power energy such as thermal, electrical, mechanical, or nuclear depending on the separation process. 2) Water production might be adversely disrupted by the effects of the demand and lead to stress of the plant. 3) Feed water can get mix with dust, brine, or other type of contaminated water if tanks are open. 4) Brine control can become challenging. 5) Infrastructures damages can result in ruptures, cracks, leaks, etc. 6) Stream contamination of surrounding rivers, lakes, etc. and the plant itself changing the quality of the feed. 7) Fire can cause a major disaster. 8) Sewage system contamination. 9) Flooding in the case of heavy precipitation. 10) A major nuclear disaster in the case of nuclear power and co-generation.
Table 1 Potentially Hazardous Natural Phenomena [6]
