Design of a Renewable Energy Powered Desalination System: Solar Energy for Desalination Technology

The Kingdom of Jordan is the 10th water poorest country in the world and the 4th water poorest country in the Middle East. The natural water resources of the country are not sufficient to meet the demands of the population and because of the water rationing that has been in place since the 1980's. Currently, the economically viable harnessing of surface water has been maximized, groundwater is being pumped at 160% of the sustainable yield.Jordanian scientists in partnership with international organizations have determined that desalination of saline water will play the most important role in alleviating the country's water scarcity problems. This document will outline a design work for a desalination system using a slow sand filter as a pre-treatment and an evaporation pond for the brine disposal. This technology will provide sufficient fresh water for the needs of a small rural community in Jordan at a small fractional cost to the government of Jordan. The analysis of this project should be especially useful to scientific community as well as anyone else who may consider renewable energy systems for the desalination of sea water.