This course provides an introduction to the key considerations involved in promoting sustainable operations within the desalination industry. By analyzing developments in the industry through the lens of sustainability, specifically focusing on cost, society, and the environment, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter. The main objective of the course is to equip students with the knowledge and mindset to approach the desalination industry with sustainability as a guiding principle.

Given the rapid growth of the desalination industry and the continuous introduction of new systems, designs, processes, and products, it becomes crucial to assess these developments based on their sustainability. Consequently, the course covers a wide range of topics including the environmental impacts of desalination processes, the interplay between water production via desalination and the water-energy-cost nexus, the design of intake and outfall systems that prioritize safety and sustainability, the evaluation of the economic viability of new desalination processes, the exploration of renewable-energy-powered desalination processes, and the examination and application of novel desalination systems like membrane distillation and forward osmosis. Furthermore, the course delves into recent technological advancements aimed at enhancing desalination processes and addresses the critical issue of fouling in reverse osmosis (RO) membranes.

To enhance the understanding of the course concepts, real-life case studies will be presented, providing practical examples of sustainability considerations in the desalination industry. By the end of the course, students will be equipped with the necessary knowledge and analytical skills to evaluate and contribute to sustainable practices within the desalination field.

Course Objectives:

By the end of the training, participants will be able to:

Apply and gain in-depth knowledge on the operation, heat balance, performance, optimization, start-up and troubleshooting of MSF and RO water desalination plants
Develop a good understanding of thermal and flash desalination, single and multiple effects of evaporation, fouling, scaling and the recent trends desalination
Describe the RO membrane desalination processes and the basic principles of MF and UF, including the fouling and cleaning of these systems
Develop a good understanding of the basic principles and design of reverse osmosis technology (RO)
Discuss fouling, pre-and post-treatment for RO and NF systems

Who Should Attend?

This course is intended for all engineers, scientists, and technologists involved in the planning, management, and operation of water desalination systems and also for manufacturers, consultants, designers, researchers, and water personnel. This course is also suitable for water laboratory staff including lab managers, chemists, scientists, analysts, technologists, and another lab technical staff.

Course Outlines:

The global water crisis
The desalination market
Desalination and sustainability

Fouling in RO plants
Safe and sustainable intake and outfall systems
Environmental impacts of desalination processes

Renewable-energy powered desalination
Novel desalination technologies: membrane distillation

Assessing the economic feasibility of new desalination processes
Recent advances in desalination

The Singapore experience: WATER
TBD: The Boron issue in desalination

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