Reverse osmosis desalination plants in the San Diego County region: comparing seawater and brackish water desalination technologies
No Thumbnail Available
Authors
Tran, Long Van
Issue Date
2007
Type
Thesis
Language
en
Keywords
Engineering technology
Alternative Title
Abstract
The San Diego County has long relied on the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) and imported water to support the region. Since the last decade, the San Diego County Water Authority (CWA) and its member agencies within the county have been working together to diversify its ne supplies. Advance technology has led to the development of reverse-osmosis (RO) desalination systems, where saltwater can be converted into potable water with less energy compared to the older desalination systems. Since 1999, the Sweetwater Authority (SWA), amember agency of CWA, has constructed and operated a demineralization plant with the ability to generate potable water from the available supply of brackish water. The CWA, City of Carlsbad and Poseidon (private entity) have great interests in the RO technology and went forward in proposing the development of a seawater desalination plant at the Encina Power Station, located in Carlsbad City. Even though CWA has recently withdrawn from the project, in August of 2006, construction of the plant is still expected to begin by 2008. The goal of this research thesis is to determine which RO desalination system would be best suitable for the San Diego County region and its citizens. To conduct this research, the proposing seawater RO desalination plant (City of Carlsbad and Poseidon) and SWA’s groundwater RO demineralization plants will be compared, since both are expected to be located within the same region. The research will investigate the desalination plants and locations, desalination water processing methods, environmental impacts issues, energy requirements, facility and operational costs, and efficiencies. The research will also highlight positive and negative components of both RO desalination technologies (seawater and brackish water) and will be evaluated with the current water conditions in the region.