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Concept
Geothermal desalination
Résumé
Geothermal desalination refers to the process of using geothermal energy to power the process of converting salt water to fresh water. The process is considered economically efficient, and while overall environmental impact is uncertain, it has potential to be more environmentally friendly compared to conventional desalination options. Geothermal desalination plants have already been successful in various regions, and there is potential for further development to allow the process to be used in an increased number of water scarce regions.
Desalination is the process of removing minerals from seawater to convert it into fresh water. Desalination is divided into two categories in terms of processes: processes driven by thermal energy and processes driven by mechanical energy. Geothermal desalination uses geothermal energy as the thermal energy source to drive the desalination process.
There are two types of geothermal desalination: direct and indirect. Direct geothermal desalination heats seawater to boiling in an evaporator, then transferring to a condenser. In contrast, indirect geothermal desalination converts geothermal energy into electricity which is then used for membrane desalination. If the geothermal energy is used indirectly, it can be used to generate power for the water desalination process, as well as excess electricity that can be used for consumers. Similarly, if the geothermal energy is used directly, the excess geothermal energy can be used to drive heating and cooling processes.
One use of geothermal desalination is in producing fresh water for agriculture. One example of agricultural applications of geothermal energy is the Balcova-Naridere Geothermal Field (BNGF) in Turkey. However, arsenic and boron, two potentially toxic elements, have been found in the geothermal water used to generate electricity. Since the construction of the geothermal desalination plant in this region, these toxic elements have contaminated freshwater wells, rendering this water unusable for agriculture.
Source officielle
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