Cogeneration of Fresh Water and Electricity with High-Temperature Power Cycles: Comparative Assessment of Multi-Effect Distillation and Reverse Osmosis

The pressing problems of water scarcity in many parts the planet make desalination one technological solutions for guaranteeing fresh supply. However, processes require high energy consumption, mainly provided by fossil fuels. integration renewable sources into is a promising option decarbonizing sector. As most water-scarce regions with access to seawater frequently have solar irradiation levels, it seems appropriate exploit sun power process. This work presents assessment two integrated and systems regarding efficiency production. Two (multi-effect distillation reverse osmosis) are studied potential coupling combined cycle central receiver plant produce electricity freshwater. In case multi-effect plant, replacing Rankine condenser cycle. osmosis powered generated from For this comparison, 21st March has been considered as design point Almería (in Southeast Spain) location. results show that thermal cogeneration renders worse outcome (thermal 50.2% LT-MED case) than decoupled generation 53.3% RO case), producing 18% less configuration (3831 m3/d vs. 4640 m3/d), due 6% penalty MED result increasing condensation temperature 42.6 °C 70 °C.