IA OF SEAWATER DESALINATION PLANTSCASE STUDY: ESIA FOR THE GAZA CENTRAL DESALINATION PLANT

SEPTEMBER 2016 ÁLVARO ADAM

ACCIONA INGENIERÍAalvaro.adam.fresno@acciona.com

• Water use has been growing at more than twice the rate ofpopulation increase.

• 85% of the world population lives in the driest half of the planet.

• 800 million people do not have access to clean water.

• 2025: 2/3 with severe fresh water shortages.

FACTS ABOUT WATER SCARCITY

FACTS ABOUT DESALINATION

40% of the world’s populationwithin 100 km of the sea.

Seawater represents 97% of thetotal volume of water.

Desalination enables 1% of allthe drinking water.

It takes 2 liters to make 1 liters.

Half of the cost comes fromenergy.

Continuous improvements:reverse osmosis.

SEAWATER REVERSE OSMOSIS PLANT

Source: Courtesy of the San Diego County Water Authority

SEAWATER REVERSE OSMOSIS PLANT

IMPACTS OF SEAWATER DESALINATION

EMISSIONS

DISCHARGE

INTAKE

High energy requirements: FOSSIL ENERGY SOURCES

Air pollutants: Greenhouse gas: CO2/CO Acid rain gases: NO/NO2/SO2 Fine particulate matter: PM10/PM2.5

IMPACTS OF SEAWATER DESALINATION: AIR EMISSIONS

IMPACTS OF SEAWATER DESALINATION: INTAKE SEAWATER

The withdrawal of water canaffect biological resourcesthrough two processes:

• Impingement

• Entrainment

Both cause increasedmortality rates for planktonsand small fishes.

POPULATION & BIODIVERSITY

IMPACTS OF SEAWATER DESALINATION: INTAKE SEAWATER

BRINE WATER DISCHARGEDense brine water sinks to the seabottom, impacting the benthiccommunities.Lower levels of dissolved Oxygen.Increase the total alkalinity level.

TEMPERATURE INCREASEDeath due to thermal shock.Proliferation of harmful algalblooms.Coral bleaching.Decreased larval survival.

IMPACTS OF SEAWATER DESALINATION: DISCHARGE

POPULATION 1.8 million (1.3 refugees)

CROWDED 6th most densely populated Population growth rate: 3 %

SOCIO-ECONOMIC Unemployment Food insecurity Aid dependency

BLOCKADE Electricity intermittent Water supply

GAZA STRIP – PROFILE

Gaza Airport

Availability of fresh wateramongst the lowest in the world.

Water source: groundwater fromCoastal Aquifer.

Seawater intrusion.

DESALINATION FACILITY PROJECT: NECESSITY

Aquifer : 55 MCM/year.

Consume: 200 MCM/year.

Aquifer irreversibly damagedby 2020: salinity.

PROJECT OWNER:

TECHNICAL SUPPORT:

ESIA CONSULTANCY SERVICES:

DESALINATION FACILITY PROJECT: PROJECT BACKGROUND

Improve the water supply situation in the Gaza Strip.

Construction, operation and maintenance of a 55million m3/a desalination plant based on the ROtechnology.

DESALINATION FACILITY PROJECT: LOCATION

LOT 2:

PV plant on ground structure(off-site)

Wind turbines on coast area(off-site)

LOT 1:

SWRO desalination plant Fossil power plant with

reciprocating engines PV plant on the roofs of the

SWRO buildings

55 million m3/a25-30 MWe 2.5 MWe

DESALINATION FACILITY PROJECT: POWER SUPPLY CONFIGURATION

12 MWe 4 MWe

DESALINATION FACILITY PROJECT: INTAKE AND DISCHARGE

Brine dispersion study:

Bathymetry

Temperatures

Salinities

Currents

Brine disposal system:

Diffuser for highly diluting

Reduce excess salinity(regulations)

Salinities: 20 m of the outfall

DESALINATION FACILITY PROJECT: INTAKE AND DISCHARGE

Ultrafiltration system for the pre-treatmentprocess: less energy and chemicalsconsumption.

Design and location of the intake adjusted tothe particularity of the local marineecosystems.

Best available technology will be used:

Impingement reduction: 85-95%

Entrainment reduction: 60-90%.

Monitor the pollutant concentrations of thedischarge: real time monitoring of marineenvironment near discharge. AUTOMATIC

MONITORING

THANK YOU!!