IAEA coordinated research activity on nuclear desalination: the quest for new technologies and techno-economic assessment

A coordinated research project (CRP) on new technologies for seawater desalination using nuclear energy was conducted by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The CRP goal was to quest for innovative seawater desalination technologies which can be integrated with the existing nuclear power plants, could make seawater desalination using nuclear energy more viable, and promote the exchange of technical information on national programs in the field of seawater desalination using nuclear energy. Other activities carried out within this CRP include conducting preliminary feasibility analysis for nuclear seawater desalination based on national site specifics, economic and life cycle assessment of nuclear seawater desalination projects, and scoping of new ideas to improve the IAEA Desalination Economic Evaluation Program (DEEP). Among other outcomes, the CRP identified several potential technologies which can make nuclear desalination a more viable option such as: heat pipe, the low temperature Multi-Effect Desalination (MED), enhanced Reverse Osmosis (RO) at elevated temperature, and hybrid low temperature desalination processes. This paper summarises the activities carried out by participating Member States and the results achieved. Elaboration on different nuclear desalination technologies is provided. It also presents an overview of the financial model suggested for further improvement of the IAEA DEEP tool.