Desalination plant using low grade geothermal heat

Abstract Based on the possibility that a geothermal hot brine source may be found in Israel, a preliminary economic study using such a source for desalination is presented. The two cases evaluated are for a 110°C brine source and for a 130°C source. Results indicate that the cost of desalinated water from a geothermal brine souce is 0.5 $/ton. Such a low price for seawater desalination can now be achieved only with large multi-effect distillation plants coupled with big power stations using low back pressure steam.