Title: The role of nuclear desalination in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Authors: Mohammed S. Aljohani, Abdul-Rahman A.F. Abdul-Fattah, Abdullah I. Almarshad

Addresses: Department of Nuclear Engineering, King Abdul Aziz University, PO Box 80204, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia. ' Department of Nuclear Engineering, King Abdul Aziz University, PO Box 80204, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia. ' Corrosion Research Group, Institute of Atomic Energy Research, King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology, PO Box No. 6086, Riyadh 11442, Saudi Arabia '

Abstract: In this study, the role of nuclear desalination in Saudi Arabia is investigated. A water demand forecast between the years 2000 and 2025 was established for the Eastern region of Saudi Arabia as part of the collected input data for the DEEP computer code. The DEEP computer code was run for several options of energy sources such as PWR (600 MWe), SPWR (160 MWth), PHWR (450 MWe), HR (200 MWth) and GT (125 MWe or 175 MWe). These energy sources were investigated for different desalination plants such as RO, MSF, MED and the hybrid MED-RO. The levelised power cost, average daily water production, net saleable power and levelised water cost are presented for all cases. Two scenarios were investigated, the first assumes no interest and discount rates and the second assumes interest and discount rates equal to 8%. The first scenario assumes that the water utility will continue under the control of the government and the second assumes that the water utility will be privatised.

Keywords: nuclear desalination; RO; MSF; MED; DEEP computer code; Saudi Arabia.

DOI: 10.1504/IJND.2004.003672

International Journal of Nuclear Desalination, 2004 Vol.1 No.2, pp.188 - 200

Published online: 06 Nov 2003 *