Candesal: A canadian nuclear desalination system

Abstract The CANDESAL Nuclear Desalination System integrates two well established and proven technologies — reverse osmosis seawater desalination and CANDU nuclear power generation — into a single facility for the co-generation of both fresh water and electricity in relative proportions dictated by local requirements. By coupling the desalination plant with the reactor both thermally and electrically and by optimizing the system design, increases in the range of 20–40% in water production efficiency are achieved, depending on seawater conditions. These improvements result in significant reductions in desalination plant capital costs as well as levelized water costs. Through the illustrative use of site-specific applications studies, the real issues of designing a nuclear desalination plant for an actual operational situation, as opposed to simply addressing a single set of design conditions, are discussed. Fresh water production targets are achieved, without compromise in water quality or reverse osmosis system efficiency, over annual variations in inlet seawater temperature and total dissolved solids. The demand for water and electrical energy is critical in many parts of the world and the CANDESAL Nuclear Desalination System provides a readily available and economically attractive solution which meets both these needs without contributing to the ever-increasing global pollution problem. In addition, the installation and operation of such a system contributes positively to regional and national economies through the creation of jobs, industrial benefits and technology transfer.