An overview of IAEA activities on seawater desalination using nuclear energy

Abstract

A new version of the Desalination Economic Evaluation Program (DEEP) has been released in February 2011. This version presents new features and easier usability for both newcomers and experts. The new version allows easier comparison between different technologies and configurations, as well as the instant overview of the designed system using all previous 37 different templates (including 4 power plant types, 3 fuel types and 4 desalination plants were combined in one). Beginners will become immediately familiar with the friendlier interactive user interface. Experts will be able to use a more polished version of the previous DEEP spreadsheets, and enhance their prefeasibility reports with the new reporting and analysis tools provided by this version. Along with this release, a new tool named Desalination Thermodynamic Optimization Programme DE-TOP has been released. DE-TOP is a complimentary to DEEP and helps to analyze the thermodynamics of cogeneration systems with emphasis on water desalination. Some important features of this tool are: Quick thermodynamic analysis of the secondary loop for several water cooled reactors; Customizable plant parameters; Different configuration options for the coupling of the non-electric application; Comparison analysis between reference plant and cogeneration system; Built-in water/steam properties based on the IAPWS-IF97 industrial formulation. These new tools will assist Member States in education and training on nuclear power and non-electric applications, offering a wider overview and underlining the viability of nuclear cogeneration. In addition to presenting a summary of the IAEA activities on seawater desalination using nuclear energy and detailed aspects of the IAEA new released tools: DEEP4.0 and DE-TOP. The paper will highlight some insights from recent activities covering major conclusions presented by participants from some Member States which are very active on seawater desalination using nuclear energy.

Publication
International Desalination Conference: A Symposium on Desalination and Water Treatment

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