Economic feasibility of solar-powered reverse osmosis water desalination: a comparative systemic review

Abderrahim Maftouh, Omkaltoume El Fatni, Siham Bouzekri, Fateme Rajabi, Mika Sillanpää, Muhammad Hammad Butt

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Due to disparities in the allocation of rainwater and drought, extreme exploitation of groundwater reservoirs has depleted water supplies in many locations. In addition, improper disposal of domestic and industrial waste leads to poor drainage and deterioration of water quality. According to studies, desalination methods are an effective solution for treating unconventional water, i.e., sea and brackish water, and making it usable in daily life. Solar-powered desalination has recently received a great deal of attention around the world. Herein, we summarized challenges and future perspectives associated with solar-powered desalination units. Some hybrid technologies are also discussed like solar-wind desalination and RO-ED crystallizer technology in Morocco and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Previously, most experimental studies focused on the use of solar energy in traditional desalination methods such as multistage flash and multi-effect distillation. Desalination with reverse osmosis has become popular due to membrane technology improvement and benefits like high recovery ratios and low energy consumption. Furthermore, it has been seen that solar energy is less expensive than the energy obtained from traditional fuels in the MENA area. This article aims to comparatively and systematically review the economic feasibility of the use of solar photovoltaic reverse osmosis in desalination in the MENA region.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2341-2354
Number of pages14
JournalEnvironmental Science and Pollution Research
Volume30
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2023
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Distillation
  • Energy Consumption
  • Reverse Osmosis
  • Solar Energy
  • Water Desalination

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Pollution
  • Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

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